Addresses and contact details
Willow Ward (inpatient)
West Park Hospital
Darlington
DL2 2TS
Telephone: 01325 552089 / 01325 552087
Service opening hours: 24 hours, seven days a week
Lead contact name: Gemma Readman
Primrose Lodge (inpatient)
Durham Road
Chester-le-Street
DH3 3JX
Telephone: 0191 3333711
Service opening hours: 24 hours, seven days a week
Lead contact name: Darren Barker
Primrose Lodge (community)
Durham Road
Chester-le-Street
DH3 3JX
Telephone: 0191 3870090
Service opening hours: 8am – 6pm, seven days a week
Lead contact name: Darren Barker
What is mental health rehabilitation?
A team approach to recover from mental ill health which maximises an individual’s quality of life and social inclusion by encouraging their skills, promoting independence and autonomy in order to give them hope for the future which leads to successful community living through appropriate support.
Why do we need adult mental health rehabilitation teams?
Some people with complex mental health needs will require specialist rehabilitation to optimise their functioning, reduce the need for future admissions and to work towards successful community living.
Our teams
Inpatient wards
Willow ward is a 15 bed mixed sex inpatient rehabilitation ward in West Park Hospital, Darlington. We care for people with severe and enduring mental health problems that require high level support. The maximum stay on this ward is two years.
Primrose Lodge is a 15 bed mixed sex inpatient rehabilitation ward in Chester-le-Street. The ward supports service users with complex mental health needs who cannot be discharged directly from hospital due to high level of need. The team works with people in their care to develop opportunities for future independence and step down into community living. The maximum stay on this ward is nine months.
Both inpatient wards offer a will work with you to recovery from mental ill health which maximises quality of life, social skills, independence, hope for the future and community living.
Community service
The community rehabilitation service at Primrose Lodge in Chester-le-Street supports people across County Durham and Darlington to achieve the highest level of independent living as possible. The average length of time that the service works with an individual is around 12 weeks. The team works with people who have complex needs who have been identified by their care team as having significantly reduced ability to function within their home and community.
What can you expected from the rehabilitation services?
Your team will design a rehabilitation programme following an assessment. Regular meetings will be held with you and your team to discuss your progress and establish goals. We welcome and value the input of your family and friends whilst planning and delivering your care.
Who works in the team?
The team is made up of psychiatric nurses, student nurses, a consultant psychiatrist, medics, psychologists, health care assistants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, activity coordinators, physical health practitioners, pharmacy, volunteers, chaplaincy, administrative staff and housekeepers.
Other specialists and agencies can being involved in your care as required, such as community mental health teams, GPs, housing advisors, Citizens Advice Group, benefits advisers, patient advocacy and a gym instructor.
Who can refer me?
You can be referred from a community mental health team or your current inpatient ward.
What will happen when I am referred?
Your team will discuss your referral to the mental rehabilitation service with you and you will be offered an assessment. The assessment will identify your need for rehabilitation services and goals for your recovery. If the assessment indicates a rehabilitation referral, a transition plan will be developed for you, this may include visits to the ward to meet the staff and familiarise yourself with the environment.
As part of the assessment process we may contact your family and / or carers and your community mental health team to get an idea of your needs. We would discuss this with you to ensure you are in agreement for this to happen.
How can the team help me?
If mental rehabilitation is beneficial to your recovery, we will work with you and your care team to arrange a transfer into one of the services. You will be allocated named professionals who will develop a recovery plan with you. This will include a personalised activity plan, therapeutic groups, one to one sessions and skill building exercises.
Will everything I say be kept confidential?
Everything you say, and the information about you will be kept confidential within your care team. The only instance in which we would need to break your confidentiality is if it was felt there was a risk to yourself or others, but we would speak to you about this.
Can my family and friends who care for me get help?
If you have an identified carer, we are able to offer them a carer’s assessment.
What have patients said about our services?
A special thank you for all you did…our family will be forever grateful.
Carer feedback
We cannot thank you enough for the fantastic job you have done.
Carer feedback
You might think you are alone, with guidance and strength you never walk along.
Service user feedback
L1120, V1, 02 / 12 / 2020 (Archive: 01 / 12 / 2023)
