Hansa Ward – Mental Health with Learning Disabilities

Gender: Female

Age: 18+

Beds: 12

Hansa Ward at Cygnet Hospital Beckton is a 12 bed high dependency complex care service for women with learning disabilities and associated complex needs, who may also have behaviours that challenge

We encourage the women in our care to make their own choices and live as independently as they are able. To achieve this, we have developed our model of care in which the in-house multi-disciplinary team (MDT) adopt a values based social model of disability with My Choice, My Voice, My Life sitting at the heart of the model.

“Thank you for everything, you have helped me to get back on track”Former service user

Situated in East London, the service provides a welcoming therapeutic environment for the women in our care. All our bedrooms are en-suite, and we have spacious communal areas including activity space, sensory room and externally a garden with space for activities. In addition, the ladies have their own kitchen where they can learn or regain skills in cooking and meal planning.

Sam’s Journey

Find out how the team on Cygnet Hospital Beckton’s Hansa Ward gained Sam’s trust and worked with him to reduce instances of self-harm and, after years in hospital services, look forward to discharge into the community.

Find out more

With an abundance of amenities within walking distance and also great transport links, the team encourage and support the women to be part of the local community. Each individual in our care begins a personalised care pathway that helps them develop necessary skills move towards a less restrictive setting in the community.

We aim to maximise each individual’s independence through the support and development of functional activities of daily living and life skills. A range of individualised accessible information is provided to each individual where required, to facilitate learning and aid understanding. In addition, we aim to support the staff, through ongoing staff training and working collaboratively.

“All of our worries and anxiety have disappeared with all the progress she has made. We really appreciate everything”Family member

Our service user profile:

Mild learning disability and complex mental health needs
May have a forensic history
May present with behaviours that challenge
May present with co-morbidities including:
- Schizophrenia/schizo-affective disorder
- Personality disorder
- Depression
- Bi-polar affective disorder
- Drug and alcohol problems
May be detained under the Mental Health Act or informal
May have a history of repeated hospital admissions