(May 2021) Smartphone Access

As we come out of business continuity, we are aiming to step back up Recovery College within our service. This has previously been accessible by all three wards, with inter-ward mixing to participate in the session.
How are people delivering Recovery College at present, particularly given current restrictions in terms of social distancing, issues relating to infection control and inability to have mixed ward groups?

1. Do you have a set process to assess & risk manage individual patients prior to granting access to a smartphone? For most of our wards, smartphones are only allowed on unescorted leave. 

2. Are patients able to have these on the ward or just on leave? Just introduced service users having their smartphones on our pre-discharge ward.  All other wards, it is unescorted leave only.

3. What checks do you have in place to ensure safe usage- both to protect the patient (thinking vulnerability) and against reoffending?  Asked to sign a contract for safe use.  If they breach, then smartphone not to be used

4. What issues/difficulties have you had after introducing smartphones? Mainly the cost and service users signing up for expensive contracts that they might not be able to afford. Bretton Centre

We have individualised care plans agreed with Primary Nurse, SU and MDT then they can be used on unescorted leave. We do a teaching session or two as needed for our LD guys. Newhaven

1. Do you have a set process to assess & risk manage individual patients prior to granting access to a smartphone? Smart phones can only be used on unescorted leave external to the hospital.

2. Are patients able to have these on the ward or just on leave? Just on Leave

3. What checks do you have in place to ensure safe usage- both to protect the patient (thinking vulnerability) and against reoffending? We run an OT course on being internet safe and how to use smart phones

4. What issues/difficulties have you had after introducing smartphones? Nothing major I can remember.

5. And any other advice /information you could give us about what they have done introducing smartphones. We have basic phones now available on all wards across Wathwood with MDT approval however smart phones are only allowed on unescorted leave not escorted as we want interaction whilst on escorted leave. Wathwood

Click here for information from Moorlands View about their patient mobile phone contract and policy. Moorlands View