Visit to Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

On Thursday last week, Daniel Elkeles enjoyed an uplifting visit to Hertfordshire Partnership Trust’s innovation centre and inpatient wards.

At the trust’s innovation centre, simulation training has been taken to the next level, with experts by experience trained as actors and co-facilitators, enabling whole teams from across agencies to be able to re-enact and learn from complex patient care situations they have experienced. The trust also has bold plans to work with Hertfordshire employers to recruit and support people living with enduring mental health conditions.

The trust has reduced its nursing vacancy rate from 26% in 2022 to almost 0%, achieving its ambition of having a waiting list of staff wanting to come and work there – a remarkable success against national trends. They have achieved this by:

🔵focusing on improving workplace culture and inclusion,
🔵training their own workforce and using apprenticeships,
🔵investing in clinical leaders, and
🔵offering career development through rotational programmes.

Daniel said: "The sense of common purpose and joy at work that this has created was evident on visiting Swift Ward, their mental health assessment unit at Kingfisher Court in Radlett. Not only was the environment impressive with plenty of outdoor space, but the unit also itself is set within a modern housing estate, normalising mental illness and support.

"The staff described how they work together with service users to set and meet treatment goals so that they can be discharged safely. They described their approach as being holistic and even gave examples of running karaoke sessions and movie nights, both of which were requested by patients! 

"Patients are also asked for their feedback on the food multiple times a week so that menus can be tailored to individual needs. The ward staff described their approach as being holistic, and well connected to other teams, wards and agencies in the community. As a result they have a short length of stay.

Thank you to Karen, Ayesha, David, Aramide, Emily and team."