At all times staff endeavour to work in partnership with each young person admitted to Willow Grove Adolescent Unit and their family. Throughout admission a number of meetings will be held, some of which will involve parents.
These meetings aim to help families discover their own strengths and resources whilst also identifying appropriate ways of managing a child’s difficulties.
Many young people with mental health difficulties respond well to a combination of medication and therapy. If in the case of your child this is deemed appropriate, the Psychiatrist will discuss medication options with you.
No psychiatric medication will be started without your consent, except in emergency situations. Information about the effects and potential side effects of any new medication prescribed for your child will be discussed with you prior to commencement.
The daily activities your child will be involved with are dependent on the level of care being provided. Following a period of assessment all young people will be introduced to the unit programme. Elements of the programme include goal setting, group and individual work, therapy sessions and educational input.
Leave arrangements vary from person to person and will be discussed and decided upon in collaboration with you as part of your child’s overall care plan. We hope and expect that all young people will go on weekend leave as part of their treatment plan, once considered able enough to do so.
Education is believed to be an essential element of rehabilitation in the lives of adolescents who experience mental health difficulties. Consequently the young people attending Willow Grove Adolescent Unit have regular access to teaching staff during academic year that facilitate learning both on an individual and group basis.
Staff at Willow Grove Adolescent Unit can liaise with your child’s school throughout his/her admission in order to ensure continuity, if permitted to do so. Young people are required to provide their own schoolbooks.
On admission each young person is assigned two key workers both of whom will meet with your child regularly. Other nursing staff will be available to your child at times when their key workers are not on the Unit.
We recommend that you link in with a key worker about any questions or concerns you may have in relation to your child’s care. You are also free to speak with other members of the team if desired.
A member of the team will discuss and arrange the details of any follow-up treatment your child may require with you. A prescription for any relevant medication will also be provided.
Arrangements may include attendance at our day programme, a day hospital in the community or an appointment at an outpatient service. Your family doctor will also be informed about your child’s discharge from hospital.
Visiting times:
Monday to Friday: 6pm-8pm
Saturday & Sunday: 2pm-5pm & 6pm-8pm
Visiting guidelines are in place to ensure the safety and privacy of all young people in our care. Upon admission a nurse will draw up a list of visitors in agreement with you and your child. We encourage all visitors to attend during scheduled visiting hours as this prevents disruption to the therapeutic programme.
The length of admission to Willow Grove Adolescent Unit varies from person to person. Each young person’s stay is dependent on the level of care required; their personalised care plan and progress towards achieving treatment goals.
St Patrick's University Hospital,
James St. Dublin 8.
Email: info@stpatsmail.com
Tel: 01 249 3200
stpatshospital
@HeadstrongYMH @Hspbarwon @schaffaliz @claredaisy @psychologiques no problem. Well done