Information for people who support and care for someone accessing our adult and older people’s inpatient mental health services

Are you someone who provides unpaid support to a family member, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without your help?

This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental ill-health, autism, a learning disability or drug and/or alcohol problems.

If so, the NHS and other organisations may refer to you as a carer. Being a carer can be very difficult as well as very rewarding. When someone you know or love is admitted to hospital it can feel worrying and you may not know what to expect.
 

We value the support provided by carers and our staff will treat you with respect and kindness. They will also answer any queries or concerns you may have or direct you to someone else who can.

Our staff team may include:

  • Consultant psychiatrists
  • Junior doctors
  • Ward manager
  • Registered mental health nurses
  • Nursing assistants
  • Psychologist
  • Pharmacist
  • Students of various professions
  • Occupational therapist
  • Technical instructors
  • Activity assistants
  • Ward administrator
  • Housekeeper 
  • Domestic staff
  • Volunteers 

Our staff are there to provide treatment, support and therapeutic activities as well as ensuring the ward runs effectively and is a safe, therapeutic and clean environment.
 

On admission, patients are shown around the ward and introduced to staff. A junior doctor undertakes blood tests, a physical examination and ensures any medication prescribed by a GP is provided. Our nursing staff will also undertake a physical health screening.

Your relative/friend will have a named staff member who will develop and review care plans with them. Assessment, treatment and care planning is ongoing throughout the admission. 

Your relative/friend will be offered an appointment at least once per week with the psychiatrist and other members of the team as part of the ward round. They will discuss progress and plan treatment and discharge together. 

The ward typically has regular routines in place for patients. This can include group activities, one-to-one time with staff, time off the ward (where permitted), ward rounds, mealtimes and visiting. 

The knowledge you have about your relative/friend can help us better understand how to plan and provide care; as well as understand the help and support you can offer. With consent from your relative/friend, our staff will seek your views and input to the assessments we undertake. We will invite you to meetings about their care and treatment. You can also book time to speak to staff and doctors to share information or voice any concerns.

Kindness and mutual respect
We aim to foster kindness and mutual respect between patients, staff, relatives and visitors. We have a zero-tolerance approach to abusive language and aggressive behaviour towards anyone on our wards or visiting areas. If you have any concerns, please speak to a member of staff.

Ward rounds
Ward rounds take place with patients, their doctor and ward staff and are where discussions take place about how your relative/friend is progressing as well as planning for care, treatment and discharge. With consent from your relative/friend you are welcome to attend and your views will also be taken into consideration by staff. To book to attend the ward round, please speak to a member of staff.
 

Without consent from the person you support, we are limited in the information we can share with you. This is based on data protection legislation. We understand that having information withheld from you can be distressing, worrying and can impact on the support you give. Please be assured that we do regularly ask patients whether information can be shared with carers.

Where consent is withheld, we can still share general information with you. This can include what happens on the ward as well as signposting you to services available to you. We can also listen to you, which is also confidential, unless we are concerned about any matters of risk or safety you tell us about. If this is the case, we may need to inform the person you care for or other organisations.

We welcome and encourage visiting by family and friends. Arrangements to do so can be made by speaking to staff. 

Visitors under the age of 18 
We need to make specific arrangements for children under the age of 18 to visit their friend/relative. As visitors under the age of 18 or not allowed onto the ward, anyone who appears under 18 will be asked to show ID to staff. Please speak to staff to discuss arrangements.

Which items can be brought onto the ward
You are welcome to bring personal clothing, small inexpensive personal effects and sealed items of food and non-alcoholic drink onto the ward. During Ramadan relatives/friends are welcome to bring a meal in the evening onto the ward but please let staff know in advance. 

Personal property including valuables
Patients should keep as little property (including cash) as possible on our 
premises while they are in our care, in particular anything of financial or 
sentimental value. Wherever possible, property should be left at home or handed to 
a relative or friend for safekeeping.

We will not accept liability for loss of or damage to patients’ property unless it has been formally handed over to us for safekeeping. 

Restricted items
To support the safety and wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors some items are not allowed on the ward whilst others may need the agreement of staff to be brought on. 
Examples of items not allowed:

  • Alcohol and drugs or substances not prescribed 
  • Plastic bags (including bags for life)
  • Fire hazard items (flammable liquids, matches, lighters)
  • Weapons or items that can be used as weapons

Examples of items that need staff agreement: 

  • Toiletries - aerosols, razors
  • Personal bedding (due to flammable materials)

You may be asked to declare any items you intend to give your friend/relative and staff may check any items before they can be given to you relative/friend - again this is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of patients, staff and visitors. 

Please feel free to speak to us for more information about why these restrictions are in place or if you feel any of these restrictions are unreasonable.
 

All our wards and hospital grounds are smokefree. Patients who usually smoke will be offered a variety of nicotine replacement therapy options whilst they are in hospital.

As part of their care plan, patients will have time off the ward. When and why this happens will be different for each patient including whether they are an ‘informal’ or ‘detained’ patient. With consent from the patient, our staff can explain individual arrangements.

The use of mobile phones and tablets is allowed but patients should:

  • Not record or take photos. This is due to the potential risk and violation of privacy and dignity of other patients, staff and visitors.
  • Have equipment on silent so all patients can expect a peaceful environment. Constant interruptions from ringing phones have a negative therapeutic effect;
  • Not lend equipment to others;
  • Avoid use in communal areas. This is due to difficulties in identifying when camera or recording functions are being used.
     

Laundry facilities are very limited on the ward and the support of relatives/friends in arranging patients to have clean clothes is welcomed.

In most cases when people are treated for a mental disorder in hospital or a mental health facility, they have agreed or volunteered to be there. They may be referred to as a voluntary or informal patient. There are cases when a person can be detained, also known as ‘sectioned’, under the Mental Health Act. 

The Mental Health Act is the main piece of legislation that covers the assessment, treatment and rights of people with a mental health disorder. You can read more about the Mental Health Act on the government website at www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1983/20/contents. The Mental Health Act Code of Practice also guides patients, their families and carers on their rights Code of practice: Mental Health Act 1983 - GOV.UK.

Patients detained/sectioned under the Mental Health Act have the right to an Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) if they are a ‘qualifying patient’. Staff on the wards provide patients with information about their rights and where applicable, information about the IMHA service. If you would like more information, please speak to a member of staff or visit our website.

More information:

Changes to the Mental Health Act 1983
The Mental Health Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025, marking a significant, long-awaited overhaul of the 1983 Act in England and Wales. The new law aims to modernise mental health care, placing a stronger emphasis on patient rights, choice, autonomy, and therapeutic benefit. 

The 2025 Act does not come into force immediately. The government has said it will be implemented in phases when “system capacity and funding allow” and it may take up to 10 years to fully come into force. More information on the Mental Health Act 2025 can be found here.

One in four people will experience a mental illness in their lifetime and it is not as uncommon as people may think. You can find information about mental health conditions here.

As someone who provides unpaid support and care to a family member, friend or neighbour you may be entitled to help and support in your own right. This may include a carers assessment which can lead to practical and financial support. If you are in work, you also have employment rights. You can find out more about your rights here.

Your local authority also provides services for carers. Please use these links to find out more about what they offer.
•    Bury
•    Rochdale
•    Oldham
•    Stockport
•    Tameside
•    Glossop
•    Manchester

Staff can also provide information about local independent carer groups in the area which can provide additional sources of support and information.
 

Although it can be difficult, it’s important to look after yourself. You can visit the Carers Trust website which provides advice on what you can do.

We're proud to provide mental health, learning disability, and autism services to people across Greater Manchester and beyond. We serve a population of 1.3 million and our vision is a happier and more hopeful life for everyone in our communities.

Our mental health teams provide care and treatment for people with mild to moderate conditions such as depression, anxiety or dementia, or more serious mental health illnesses such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. We provide inpatient services and community services as well as talking therapies, drug and alcohol services, psychiatric intensive care, rehabilitation services, military veterans' services and many more. Our learning disability services are for people with a moderate to profound level of learning disability, such as those with downs syndrome.

For more information us including how we are regulated, please visit our website.
 

We recognise and value the enormous support provided by carers and we are members of the national Triangle of Care scheme which is underpinned by six key standards:

  1. Carers and the essential role they play are identified at first contact or as soon as possible thereafter.
  2. Staff are ‘carer aware’ and trained in carer engagement strategies.
  3. Policy and practice protocols re: confidentiality and sharing information, are in place.
  4. Defined post(s) responsible for carers are in place.
  5. A carer introduction to the service is available, with a relevant range of information across the care pathway.
  6. A range of carer support services is available.

We are committed to achieving these standards and there are Triangle of Care groups in each of our boroughs involving carers and staff working collaboratively to do so. If you would like to know more about these groups, please contact the patient and carer engagement team on 0161 716 3572 or involvement.penninecare@nhs.net.

To learn more about the Triangle of Care please visit here.
 

We want our services to be the best they can be for everyone who uses them and the feedback, views and experiences of our services users, along with their families and carers, can help us develop, deliver and improve them.

We welcome you in helping us to shape what we do and there are various involvement opportunities for you to do so, which include: 

  • Membership at meetings and project groups that aim to improve our services;
  • Involvement in the recruitment and training of our staff;
  • Reviewing the quality of our services;
  • Volunteering in our clinical and support services.

We offer training and support as well as any agreed out of pocket expenses.

To find out more, please contact the patient and carer involvement team on 0161 716 3572 or involvement.penninecare@nhs.net or visit our webpage.
 

Urgent help for a crisis 
Call 111 and select mental health option 2. The service is available 24/7 for all ages and connects to your local team.  
For more information on useful contacts, please visit our website.

Patient advice and liaison service (PALS) 
Confidential advice and support for patients, families, and carers. They can guide you through NHS services and help resolve concerns quickly.
Tel: 0161 716 3083. Email: pcn-tr.pals.penninecare@nhs.net 

Comments and complaints 
We welcome feedback and aim to resolve concerns quickly. Complaints won’t affect your care. Speak to a staff member or contact our Complaints Team.
Address: Trust HQ, 225 Old Street, Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7SR. Tel: 0161 716 3083. Email: pcn-tr.complaints.penninecare@nhs.net  

Alternative formats 
Please speak to a staff member to request a different format (large print, audio, Braille or another language). 

Become a member  
Help shape local services by becoming a member or standing for governor. You'll get updates, event invites and chances to comment on plans.
Tel: 0161 716 3960. Email: pcn-tr.ftmembership.penninecare1@nhs.net