Inpatient mental health sites
Please do not visit our hospitals if you have symptoms of a respiratory illness like a cough, cold or a high temperature. If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, wait until this has stopped for 48 hours before attending a hospital.
Face masks are available at all main entrances to our sites if you would like to wear one. Hand sanitising products are also available.
Patients may have two visitors. This doesn't have to be arranged in advance unless the patient is receiving end of life care, more visitors are permitted but this also has to be discussed with the ward.
Hospital matrons and ward leads do have the discretion to support more visitors to visit where requested. We offer virtual visiting, where friends and family can arrange to speak with patients via a video call.
The visiting times for all of our hospitals are 2-4pm and 6-8pm, seven days a week, including bank holidays. You do not need to contact the hospital in advance to attend but, if you'd like to, you can contact the hospital directly.
We provide adult inpatient mental health services at a number of sites around Dorset. Our aim is to provide person-centred care and treatment, focused on recovery, to allow people to return home as quickly as possible.
If you or your loved one is admitted to one of our inpatient facilities, we will carry out an assessment and plan an appropriate package of care. We offer a range of evidence-based treatments and therapies to help people recover. Once you are back home, you will continue to receive support - this may initially be from the Crisis Home Treatment Team and then, if you require further support, from your local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) or GP.
Our inpatient services are open 24 hours a day, all year round, and are staffed by specialist psychiatrists, psychologist, nurses, occupational therapists, medics and support workers.
Visiting is usually between 2-8pm. If you need visit any of our sites outside these times, or if you would like to book the family room if visiting with children, please contact the ward direct to arrange. Please note all meal times are protected, but otherwise we do our best to be flexible.
All of our sites are now 'Smokefree', so you will not be permitted to smoke while on site, as a patient or a visitor.
There are prohibited items that we do not allow on our sites. These include: sharp items and objects, weapons, alcohol, illegal drugs/highs and plastic/carrier bags.
You or your loved one would usually be referred to these services by a health or social care professional. Speak to your care co-ordinator or GP for more information.
See below for more details about our inpatient facilities.
St. Ann's Hospital, Poole
St Ann’s Hospital provides assessment and treatment for a wide range of mental health illnesses, supporting people aged 18 and over who are in an acute phase of their illness and working towards recovery.
Seaview Ward is an Acute Admission Unit (AAU) for all new admissions
Harbour Ward is a male treatment ward, for those requiring a longer stay in hospital.
Chine Ward is female treatment ward, for those requiring a longer stay in hospital.
Alumhurst Ward is a treatment ward for people aged 65 and over with functional mental health problems.
Haven Ward is a specialist psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) for patients who are in extreme crisis
Twynham Ward is specialist, low secure forensic ward, for male offenders with mental health problems.
There are extensive grounds and gardens to help support patients' wellbeing, access to a gym and instructor, therapy services and a bookable family room for anyone visiting with children under 18. We offer carers support on the wards, and hold a regular drop-in session.
All wards have access to wifi and patient computers.
Forston Clinic, Charminster (near Dorchester)
Forston Clinic provides assessment and treatment for a wide range of mental illnesses, supporting adults who are in an acute phase of illness and working towards their recovery.
Waterston Ward is an assessment and treatment ward for working-age male and female patients.
Melstock Ward provides assessment and treatment for people aged 65 and over with functional mental health problems
There are extensive grounds and gardens to support patients' wellbeing, access to a gym and instructor, therapy services and a bookable family room for visiting with children under 18. We offer carer support on the wards.
Both wards have access to wifi and patient computers.Glendinning Unit, Dorchester
The Glendinning Unit provides inpatient rehabilitation services for people with a history of severe mental illness, and who may experience repeated relapses and admissions.
A key part of this care is to help people develop skills which will help them live independently, increasing hope and empowering them to live meaningful lives. We provide access to a range of therapeutic activities designed to support recovery, including gardening, rambling, cooking, arts, gym, exercise, smoking cessation and physiotherapy.
All wards have access to wifi and patient computers.
Nightingale House, Bournemouth
Nightingale House is in Westbourne, Bournemouth. It offers inpatient care and rehabilitation for people with complex, enduring and severe mental illness.
A key part of this care is to help people develop skills which will help them live independently, increasing hope and empowering them to live meaningful lives. We provide access to a range of therapeutic activities designed to support recovery including gardening, rambling, cooking, arts, gym, exercise, smoking cessation and physiotherapy.
All wards have access to wifi and patient computers.
Locations
Alumhurst Ward (Poole - St Ann's Hospital)
WiFi: Yes
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Mental Health Inpatient Units (Older Persons)
Harbour Ward (Poole - St Ann's Hospital)
WiFi: Yes
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Mental Health Male Treatment Unit
Haven Ward Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (Poole - St Ann's Hospital)
WiFi: Yes
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Opening times: 24/7
Herm Ward (Poole - Alderney Hospital)
WiFi: No
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Visiting Hours:
Monday - Friday: 11am - 7pm
Weekends: 10.30am - 7pm
Herm is an assessment & treatment ward for older persons with an organic mental health issue and complex behaviour.
Inpatient Eating Disorders Service (Poole - St Ann's Hospital)
WiFi: Yes
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Opening Times: 24 hours 7 days a week
Visiting Times:
The unit is flexible with visiting hours and encourages visits outside of meal times and therapeutic groups please contact unit to clarify.
Monday to Friday: 19.00-20.45 is always available.
Saturday-Sunday and Bank holidays: The unit encourages visits and outings at weekends so please contact the unit to clarify to avoid clashes with therapeutic activities.
Melstock House (Dorchester - Forston Clinic)
WiFi: No
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Perinatal In-Patient Mother's Ward (Bournemouth - Alumhurst Road)
WiFi: Yes
Parking: Limited
Disabled Access: Yes
Inpatient team
Opening times: Monday to Friday (24h) – inc Bank holidays and weekends
Visiting times:
Monday to Friday from 16.00 to 18.00 and 19:00 to 20:00
Bank holidays and weekends 14:00 to 18:00 and 19:00 to 20:00 (visiting times are flexible to meet the needs of family and friends and can be negotiated to fit in with their needs).
Community team
Opening times: Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 16.30 – No bank holidays and weekends
St Brelades (Poole - Alderney Hospital)
WiFi: No
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
St Brelades Ward is a male assessment and treatment ward for older men with an organic mental health and associated complex behaviour.
Visiting Hours:
Monday - Friday: 11am - 7pm
Weekends: 10.30am - 7pm
Twynham Ward (Poole - St Anns Hospital)
WiFi: Yes
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Waterston Acute Assessment Unit (Dorchester, Charlton Down - Forston Clinic)
WiFi: No
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes