Sensory environments
Freddy Lindh is an occupational therapist seconded to lead a project to think holistically about the impact of environments on our service users , working across two trusts and alongside a charity in West Yorkshire . Here he shares his experience to date .
Sensory environments
Feature
All senses , in all spaces
Freddy Lindh is an occupational therapist seconded to lead a project to think holistically about the impact of environments on our service users , working across two trusts and alongside a charity in West Yorkshire . Here he shares his experience to date .
O
ver the past few years , there has been a slow , but incremental focus on autistic and other neurodiverse experiences *.
The Sensory Friendly Inpatient Environments project is a collaboration between Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust ( BDCFT ), Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust ( LYFPT ) and Advonet . The aim is to improve the sensory experience of inpatient wards for neurodiverse service users and is funded by one-off bid monies from NHS England **.
It is intended to support and accelerate the commitments of The national strategy for autistic children , young people and adults : 2021 to 2026 ( GOV . UK 2021 ), the principles outlined in the National Development Team for Inclusion ’ s It ’ s not rocket science report ( NDTi 2020 ) and support implementation of the Equality Act 2010 .
In addition , it aims to go some way to address sometimes untherapeutic environments raised in the Care Quality Commission ’ s review on restraint Out of sight , who cares ( CQC 2020 ).
This year is a trial rolling out of a pilot that was completed in 2022 , and at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust , findings from the first year reflected the national picture :
• Staff lacked knowledge and understanding of sensory processing , but had desire to learn .
• Environmental issues , such as light and noise , impact service users ’ mental health and quality of sleep and distress staff .
• It was identified that a quiet space away from the ward would be beneficial and there was a lack of sensory resources to support service users .
At Bradford , training and resources were implemented , including small adaptations of ‘ sensory suitcases ’, which contained a variety of sensory tools that were locally risk assessed for appropriate placement , and ‘ calm at night packs ’ that contained basic sleep aids for wards to disseminate .
Larger environmental changes were made by identifying best use of space for a ‘ make it your own space room ’: a room designed to be a blank adaptable space . Early data showed a decrease in incidences .
The project is being extended this year across four wards between Bradford and Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and it aims for high connectivity , collaboration , sustainability and transferability ; small changes that can make a big difference .
What ’ s been happening ?
I ’ ve taken a multi-pronged , cross departmental approach , as I believe my role as an occupational therapist enhances my ability to take a holistic needs analysis and identify the stakeholders .
I think there is so much potential for occupational therapists and those who have involvement with environments to work together . I ’ ve been working alongside estates , IT services , health and safety , hotel services , clinical staff , involvement partners , library services and communications teams within the trust .
Alongside this , Advonet has carried out comprehensive environmental reports at Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and will assess a further four wards at Bradford . The trust will then offer training and resources to identified wards at Leeds and York .
There are four main project arms for this year : training ; knowledge sharing ; an occupational therapy pathway ; and resource allocation .
Training
Last year , training videos were developed inhouse , in collaboration with Bradford University
32 OTnews December 2023