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Areas of good practice

It is evident from our 2008 visits to mental health rehabilitation and continuing care wards, that there have been improvements in some areas since our visits to similar services in 2003. It would appear that expectations of staff and people receiving care and treatment have increased during this period, as recommended in our 'Greater Expectations' report.

Where this has brought about change for the better, people have benefited. Where raised expectations are not met, however, there was evidence of discontent and disappointment.

  • From the responses to our questionnaires, it seems that the ability to keep in touch with family and friends, the opportunity to spend time out of hospital, and access to a garden area have all improved.
  • More people are now given information about their care and treatment, are able to attend review meetings and feel involved in decisions about their care. Advocacy services are made more widely available both to those subject to the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, but also to others.
  • The environment of care remains unfit for purpose in many older buildings which are unsuitable for further modification. Nevertheless, fewer concerns about cleanliness were reported than in 2003. The removal of smoke rooms from many wards may have contributed to this perception.