People with whom we spoke told us that they had good access to staff, including for one to one time. They made comments like “They are nice, decent” and “They are fine.” They told us that they felt there were sufficient staff to meet their needs and that they were able to go out with staff support.

People told us that they liked the activities on offer in the unit but that sometimes the sessions were short. For example one person said that on the day of our visit “We went to the art room for about fifteen minutes before lunch.”

People told us that staff were not always available to enable them access locked doors, for example when people attending for day care wished to use the toilet. They told us that because they were not issued with electronic door passes they sometimes had to wait a long time for assistance, which was annoying and compromised their dignity. Community meeting minutes recorded this as an ongoing issue that we raised with senior staff. We were assured that new passes had been ordered and that in the interim staff were always available in communal areas to assist.

During our visit on 12 May 2011 we spoke informally with people who were using the service and spoke in more depth with five people.

Some people with whom we spoke were aware that they should be involved in developing their care plans and confirmed that they had been consulted about them. However one person was unsure of the role of the advocacy service and another person told us that staff “don’t ask for consent to pass on information”.

People were aware that community meetings were held and that they can attend to express their views and concerns. One person told us that they had discussed the possibility of a covered outside area in a meeting. Another person stated that they did not go to the meetings “as often as I should”.

People told us that they were happy with their rooms and the general cleanliness. “I have everything I need”. One person told us that they had been supplied with pyjamas when they did not have any night clothes. People also told us that housekeeping staff check the rooms every day, changing the towels, vacuuming and mopping daily. One person told us that they did not like the showers and tend to have a bath instead.

One person who was detained under the Mental Health Act told us that sometimes there are insufficient members of staff to enable them to go out on leave. Another person told us that they had been able to have regular leave and that this had been gradually increased to overnight. Another person told us that on the day before our visit they had “been asking to go out from 1000 until 2000”, when they “finally got an escort”.

People told us that they are able to exercise choice about their daily routine, for example staying up late. However several people told us that they spend the day watching TV and smoking. People consistently expressed dissatisfaction about the provision of activities within the unit. They told us that “there is nothing going on”, “nothing to do all day” and that they “just lie on my bed most of the time with nobody to talk to”. One person said “I am lonely” because they “don’t see much of the staff”. Another person told us “I watch TV and listen to the radio. I should do activities but don’t always”. People were aware of the Occupational Therapist’s role and the activities room but one person said that the room “is never used”. Another person said “Once or twice a week we get asked if we want to go to the art room”.

People told us that they “really like the food” and that “the food is really nice”. One person said that they would like more milk to drink instead of fruit juice. People also told us that the variety of food is good and that they can choose healthy options if they wish. Only one person told us that they didn’t like the food and would like more salad and traditional dishes.

People with whom we spoke told us that they were happy with the way their medicines are managed. One person told us that the staff “keep a check on” their medicines and “they give them OK”. Another person told us that “staff give medicines. I am happy with that”. One person told us that they “can refuse some medication, for example as required Lorazepam”.

People were consistently complimentary about the staff saying that the staff “are kind and respectful”; “You can have a laugh and a joke with the staff”. Also “they talk to you all right” and “they look after you and make sure you have what you need”. People told us that felt that nurses and medical staff understood their problems. One person told us that they had been on the unit for nine weeks and had only seen the doctor three times. One person said “If I am feeling anxious they try to help me to relax and calm down. They are very good at that”. Another person said that the staff “always take a calm approach to people kicking off”.