Nightingale Court provides a 24 hour service for individuals staying on the unit. 

Between the hours of 09.00 and 17.00, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) the Administration Officer can be contacted for general enquiries on 01202 584301.

Enquiries relating to referrals should be directed to the Medical Secretary on 01202 584325.

Nightingale Court is an open, pre-discharge unit which is specialised in supporting and empowering individuals to maximise their potential through the development of independent living skills.

Nightingale Court accepts referrals from healthcare professionals who feel that an inpatient stay may be beneficial in supporting individuals with significant mental illness and who have identified rehabilitation needs.

Referrals for potential admission to Nightingale Court may be discussed with the Responsible Clinician in advance of making the referral.

We ask that referrers are able to provide the following information, to ensure that the team are able to respond appropriately to the referral:

• The referral letter (including reason for referral and full chronological history
• Medication trials and their outcomes
• Details of current medication
• Rehabilitation needs identified
• Full risk screen completed within the last 4 weeks
• PNC check

The referral should be made in writing, and be addressed to the Consultant Psychiatrist.

Nightingale Court delivers comprehensive, multi-disciplinary treatment. Our goal is to work together, with the individual, to develop personally meaningful goals in order to move treatment and recovery forwards. This may include reducing distressing symptoms, developing independent living skills, assisting with vocational opportunities, improving physical wellbeing by promoting healthy lifestyle choices and enabling discharge into the community.

Psychological intervention will be provided by staff within the team, dependent on the needs of the individual.

Therapeutic activities are a valuable part of treatment and play an important part in the  process of moving on. At Nightingale Court, the staff team cater for each patient and together formulate an activity schedule suited to the individual. 

Activities may include:

• Community skills sessions
• Community meetings
• Budgeting sessions
• Smoking Cessation 1:1
• Walks to local areas
• Cooking
• Voluntary employment opportunities
• Enrolment onto adult education courses

Activities may take place at Nightingale Court and/or within the local community. 

We work with people who are at the pre-discharge phase of their recovery journey whose mental health difficulties are long term and are either difficult to treat, or are complicated by other conditions/illnesses, and whom require treatment as an inpatient.

The dedicated multi-discpilinary team at Nightingale Court includes:

• Registered Mental Health Nurses
• Mental Health Support Workers
• Support Time Recovery Workers
• Occupational Therapists
• Occupational Therapist Technicians
• Speciality Doctor
• Clinical Psychologists
• Psychiatrist
• Administration staff

Team members and the individuals that we support have access to all facilities available within Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust.

Referrals for Nightingale Court must come from a Consultant Psychiatrist.

If you feel that you, or someone you know might benefit from an inpatient stay at Nightingale Court, please talk to the Consultant Psychiatrist, who can then make a referral to the Court.

Nightingale Court provides comprehensive support, from a multi-disciplinary team for individuals staying on the unit.

In order to access the support that we provide, individuals must be referred by their Consultant Psychiatrist.

Whilst staying at Nightingale Court, each individual will be assigned a key-nurse. It is the key-nurse's responsibility to offer assistance and advice to carers, this may involve assisting with completing a 'Carers Assessment' or sign-posting carers to relevant support groups and information sessions, dependent on their locality.

Nightingale Court is an inpatient facility which offers 24 hour care and support to individuals within the service. Nightingale Court is located at:

49 Alumhurst Rd, Bournemouth, BH4 8EP

Admissions for Nightingale Court are planned in advance, and where possible admissions take place between the hours of 09.00 and 17.00, Monday to Thursday.

General enquiries about Nightingale Court and information on purchasing beds are to be directed to Liz James, Modern Matron

Tel: 01202 584301

Email: liz.james@dhuft.nhs.uk

Referrals for admission are to be directed to Dr. Leyland Sheppard

Tel: 01202 584325

Email: leyland.sheppard@dhuft.nhs.uk