People said that Imber Ward was clean and tidy and they liked their bedrooms, which were well furnished and comfortable. There were however some complaints from women about the bathing facilities. Some people said they would like somewhere secure to keep their personal possessions in their bedrooms.

People said they enjoyed the garden, using the gym and participating in other activities on the ward such as art, yoga and cooking. However they complained that the gym was not open often enough and there were few activities organised at weekends and during holidays. The trust told us that they intend to employ more staff to address this.

Most people told us that the staff were caring and helpful and treated them with dignity and respect. One person said that the staff “always make time to talk to me” and he appreciated the support given to him by occupational therapists. Some people said that they did not feel they had enough time to discuss their problems with the consultant and complained that their meetings with him were sometimes rushed. One person said that some staff were disrespectful, saying “they talk to me like a naughty child”.

People said that the quality of the food was varied. Some people felt that there was insufficient choice, particularly for those who preferred a vegetarian diet. They appreciated the efforts of the facilities supervisor who regularly visits the ward to check the quality of food and cleanliness. They also liked the kitchen where they were able to prepare their own drinks but complained that they were not provided with fresh milk.

Most people said they felt able to tell staff if they were unhappy about any aspect of their care and they felt that they were listened to. They appreciated the opportunity to influence things at the regular community meetings and service user meetings held on the ward.