Patient Vignettes

Our patients make significant progress in relatively short periods of time. Here are some of their stories:

Case Study 1 - Patient Andy Admission and emotional containment

Andy (Emotionally unstable personality disorder, borderline type with dissocial personality traits) was admitted to The Ansel Group Nottingham Clinic from a medium secure setting with historically enhanced observation levels and self harming behaviour exhibited over a period of 5 years.

Within six weeks of admission to us Andy had progressed to general observations, achieved a significant and on-going reduction in self harming behaviour and was actively engaged in the service. Andyís anxieties (triggers) have been contained and he is actively engaging in dialogue regarding concerns rather than continually resorting to self harming behaviour.

Our response to the initial placement enquiry and the associated admission process was commended by Andyís commissioner as appropriate, professional and comprehensive.

The commissioner considers that The Ansel Group are the only provider currently able to meet Andyís needs even though this is an out of area referral for them. ìI am really glad that we found this resource and were able to identify it for this patient.

Case Study 2 - Patient Bobby Progression and development

Bobby (Emotionally unstable personality disorder, borderline type) was admitted to The Ansel Group Nottingham Clinic from prison with ongoing and serious self harming behaviours and a lack of any meaningful service engagement.

The initial admission and containment phase with us lasted 3 months during which time Bobbyís level of challenge, self harming behaviour and engagement showed sustained improvement, becoming self managed over the period.

Bobby was discharged from the service 9 months later. At discharge the self harming behaviours were no longer evident and Bobby had engaged with the service and treatment interventions to the extent that he became part of the staff recruitment panel.

At discharge the Bobby's advocate read from a letter written by him - "he has grown up, he has progressed whilst at Ansel, he now wants to move on and develop a career in fashion - he wants to shine, he wants to start his life afresh from now." 

Case Study 3 - Patient Chris Pre-discharge

Chris (Dis-social personality disorder and co-morbid mental illness) was admitted to the Ansel Clinic from a medium secure service and has been at the Ansel Clinic for 9 months.

Chris has actively engaged in the service, made significant progression and is now resident on our upper floor pre-discharge ward. This ward is tailored towards rehabilitation to minimise accumulated deficits and optimise skills acquired by exposure to various social opportunities while at the Clinic. The goal is to improve the likelihood of successful community integration.

Over recent months Chris has worked to develop and agree a clear plan to discharge from the service within an overall planned length of stay totalling 13 months. Chris and his team at The Ansel Group have worked collaboratively with his family and community team to agree a discharge pathway which is informed by a structured incremental rehabilitative approach.

This was developed in line with information gathered from work with the family, designed to improve communication between clinicians and the family and to develop a common language in understanding Chrisís difficulties. This plan will assist the family to minimise sources of strain that may trigger relapse. The Ansel Group will also offer post discharge support in the community if this is deemed to be required and appropriate.

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