Enter and View Report - Intermediate Care In-Patient Services

Wards at both Wanstead Hospital and King George Hospital were visited. In April, Healthwatch Redbridge carried out two Enter & View visits in response to concerns raised by local people in regards to the in-patient rehabilitation services as part of the planned reconfiguration of Intermediate Care in Redbridge, Havering and Barking & Dagenham.

Healthwatch Redbridge is concerned that there are still issues that need to be addressed appropriately to ensure that patients and carers receive the best possible services. We believe that the services currently provided at Wanstead Hospital may be reviewed and some discontinued unless patients and carers are given the opportunity to be involved in the planning and design of rehabilitation services.  

Our representatives identified differences in rehabilitation activities being provided at each site. There appeared to be less activities taking place at KGH. Some representatives felt the ward (Foxglove) resembled a ‘frail elderly’ ward and noted that few patients were able to use the gym as they were considered by staff to be ‘too frail’. 

Some staff commented that they did not feel involved in the proposals to the extent they should have been. 

We were recently asked by the Redbridge Health Scrutiny Committee (HSC) to review the Intermediate Care Service over the next eighteen months with a view to ensuring the service is appropriate and meets the needs of patients and carers. We are happy to continue to engage with the service provider, North East London Foundation Service (NELFT) and the commissioner, Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group (RCCG), ensuring the patient and carer voice is heard and influences the decisions being taken.

Cathy Turland, Healthwatch Redbridge CEO said:

‘Our visits enabled Enter and View Representatives to engage directly with the people who will be affected by this restructure. As an independent organisation, we are committed to providing a strong independent and impartial commentary regarding local services.’