There were seven people using the service on the day of our inspection. None of the people were detained there under the Mental Health Act 1983. We spoke with four people, six members of staff and the ward manager. At the end of our inspection we provided feedback to the ward manager and five representatives from the trust. We looked at three people’s records.

We saw that people were supported to be involved in their care and were given choices. One person told us, “We can choose what we eat and what activities we do.”

Staff had most of the information they needed to know how to support people to meet their individual needs. We saw that people’s needs had been assessed by a range of health professionals and their healthcare needs had been monitored and met. One person told us, “They have looked after me alright here.”

People spoken with told us that they felt safe there. Systems were in place to ensure that people were safeguarded from harm. We saw good interactions between people and staff. We observed that people were at ease in the company of staff.

Staff had the skills and knowledge to know how to safely support people to meet their needs.

People were asked for their views about the service and these were listened to. We saw that audits were completed and action was taken to make improvements where needed.

There were seven patients at Orchard Hills when we visited. We met and introduced ourselves to all of the patients and spoke to four patients in more depth to get their views of the service.

Two patients showed us their bedrooms. They told us that they had what they wanted in these. One bedroom had few personal possessions but the patient told us that this is how they wanted it. The other bedroom contained numerous personal possessions and the patient told us about these and how they reflected their hobbies and interests.

We talked to patients about advocates. One patient told us that they had an advocate who helped them to make decisions. The other patient said they did not have an advocate and did not seem to know what this was.

Patients told us that they took part in different activities that they enjoyed and were supported to develop their interests and hobbies. Patients told us they were helped to be as independent as possible and helped to make their snacks and drinks. One patient said, “I sometimes use the dishwasher and cook.”

Some patients were unable to verbally communicate with us. Through using our SOFI tool we observed that they were supported to do the things they enjoyed. We saw that patients were given a choice of what they did, what they wanted to eat and drink and where they spent their time.

We asked patients if staff supported them to be well. They told us that staff helped them to attend appointments and take their medication. They said they saw the doctor often, so helping to review their health needs and ensure their well being.

We talked to patients about how safe they felt at Orchard Hills. They told us they felt safe and they had not seen anyone restrained by staff. They said that staff helped them to be calm and talked to them if they felt anxious.