Deaf Open Rehabilitation Services

The Open Rehabilitation service provides the final link in the care pathway of hospital care for Deaf patients at St Mary's Hospital. The service offers a wide range of well developed therapeutic interventions, involving patients in all aspects of their care in preparation for community living or supported housing. The accommodation comprises of a number of ward based bedrooms, with en suite facilities and 4 self contained flats, for step down or longer term care.

The service provides extensive community contacts in the local area. Patients are encouraged and supported to develop their interests and build upon their achievements at St Mary's Hospital. Visits to the local Deaf club and involvement in group or individual programmes and activities provide support in re establishing a positive self image and Deaf identity. Two community meetings a week are held, on the open ward to involve patients in planning appropriate weekly activities and contribute to the day to day running of the service. There is a wide range of ward and hospital based programmes designed to increase patient engagement with the rehabilitation process. The Occupational therapy department offers art and craft; daily living skills; a Deaf Issues group; gardening and horticultural group; individual therapy sessions and a full independent living programme for patients placed in the hospital flats. The patients can use the gym with a fully trained instructor.

Referrals are accepted from other hospitals and service providers when placements have broken down due to mental health and or behavioural issues. Some patients are admitted direct from court, dependent on forensic history. The service also provides step down from other secure Deaf services at St Mary's Hospital. All patients are admitted following a detailed pre admission assessment undertaken by the multi disciplinary clinical team. On admission patients undergo a three month initial assessment period which may involve a range of tests and assessments such as psychological and mental health assessment and a language assessment.

All services are delivered in British Sign Language (BSL) with the expectation that all staff use sign language to the best of their ability at all times. This is a key principle of the service model and ensures that services remain fully accessible and grounded in the culture and language of the patients. The use of interpreters is normally restricted to formal and legal settings or access to work tasks for Deaf staff.