Walmer ward and Walmer Bedgebury

Walmer ward is a 12 bed medium secure unit specialising in the assessment and treatment of female adults with a mental health condition whose offending behaviour requires care in a medium secure setting. We provide individualised care to help in recovery, whilst supporting patients to increase independence by developing and rediscovering skills.

Bedgebury-Walmer has 6 beds and is not classed as medium secure and is for patients to be able to move on within the service who no longer require medium security. The women’s service at TGU is one team with the same staff working across both areas.

The team consists of health care assistants, nurses, occupational therapists, junior doctors and a consultant. Staff offer a varied range of therapeutic activities and there is an emphasis on staff having a psychological approach to their work. Due to many of the patients having had traumatic pasts the service takes a trauma focused approach.

Family Engagement and Liaison Lead

The Family Engagement and Liaison Lead (FELL) works specifically with the families and friends of someone who is being assessed or treated by forensic mental health and learning disability services.

The Family Engagement and Liaison Lead will be able to offer you advice, support and information. Part of the role will be to meet up and give you time to talk about your own concerns and questions, throughout your relative or friends recovery.

You can also join us for regular catch-ups with tea and cake which we hold throughout the year. 

Click here to view more details about the The Family Engagement and Liaison Lead

Protecting our patients

When visiting any of our inpatient wards you must wash your hands, follow our 2m social distancing policy and wear a face covering  where required to do so.

Wards may insist upon other individual arrangements to help protect you during your visit. We advise for all visitors to contact the ward staff ahead of their visit to check for further guidance.

Further information can be found on our website here

Visiting

The ward does not have set visiting times as we understand the difficulties of set times and modern living. We do however ask that you follow the below guidance:

• Visits cannot occur before 9am or after 8:30pm.
• Visits need to be agreed in advance
• To visit a patient at the unit there needs to be agreement with the patient and with the multi-disciplinary team at the weekly ward round.
• On first visit, visitors should bring ID including a document with their address and something with a photo.
• No one under 18 can come onto the ward areas however we can book a family room off the ward for you.
• Visitors will have bags and possessions searched before entering the ward area.

Visitors should report to reception and if travelling by car request a permit. Please note that at times parking spaces are limited especially weekdays between 1-3pm.

Meet the manager

You can feedback directly to Catherine Ballinger, Interim Medium Secure Service Manager, to share your experiences and let her know how they are doing as a service. To arrange a meeting please email: tanya.kierznowski@nhs.net