Saffron Ward (Stockport)

On Saffron Ward we have 23 beds and a comfortable, welcoming environment to support your rehabilitation, mental health and wellbeing.

We have lots of skilled and competent staff who are always happy to help.

You will most likely be referred to us as a step down from the ward at Stepping Hill hospital. Liaison services at the hospital will decide if this is appropriate.

Your hospital discharge co-ordinator will agree a transfer to us after you have completed your medical care for physical illness, once your ward’s resident medical officer has determined you are medically fit.

We provide rehabilitation and further assessment which aims to help you return home or to your usual place of residence.

• You will receive a comprehensive assessment and individual care plan that involves active therapy or opportunity for recovery.
• You will receive a physio assessment on admission to the ward to help with your mobility. The physio will develop a care plan for the nursing staff to follow.

• You will receive occupational therapy support, in the form of a home assessment and structured activities on the ward.
• We carry out a range of nursing assessments, including falls risk assessments, skin integrity assessment, nutritional assessments and an appropriate review by a dietician, and physical health screenings. A general mental health assessment is ongoing during your stay.
• We can make referrals to speech and language therapy, where appropriate.
• Your GP will have overall responsibility for your medical care, and GP visits are daily to the ward (Monday to Friday).
• A consultant psychiatrist visits the ward on a weekly basis and takes appropriate referrals.

• We will help to maximise your independence, to resume living at home either with or without social care or other support based on your needs.
• Parity of esteem is key, which means mental health and physical health conditions are both equally important.

The average length of stay is currently five weeks.

We differ from other intermediate care wards, as other wards don’t accept people suffering from dementia, depression, or delirium.

Sometimes you will stay longer than five weeks if you are experiencing multiple physical and mental health conditions which are more complex.

We have a social worker with relevant mental health experience, who works closely with a team of other health and care professionals to support your discharge from the ward.

Where possible, we will discharge you back home, but if this isn’t safe then we would discharge you to an appropriate residential or nursing home.

We aim to discharge you safely so you don’t have to go back to the general hospital or have a further inpatient admission.

You will have a follow-up after being discharged, to check how your care plan is going. This follow-up will be through the wider liaison team or the discharge co-ordination team.

Once this follow-up has happened, you will be discharged either to the area integrated team or your GP.

We can help if you:

• Are over the age of 65 years
• Live in Stockport
• Have had a fall or experience reduced mobility
• Have a long-term condition or readily treated medical condition (e.g. urinary tract infection - UTI) which has got worse
• Have dementia or significant cognitive impairment which places you at risk if you remain in your usual place of residence.
• Are suffering from a delirium
• Require a longer period of assessment because of your mental health needs and physical health problems (that are not acute in nature)
• May face a prolonged hospital stay, or admission to residential care, without further support and rehabilitation.

You are always welcome to visit your loved ones on the unit, please contact us before to arrange this.

We will try to be as flexible and accommodating as possible but ask that you please aim for between 9am and 9pm and try to avoid visits during mealtimes.