Admissions Procedure

Upon receipt of a referral, discussions will be held with CMHT, the GP and NHS Consultants at Column House regarding the needs of the individual referred and the suitability of the facilities for the resident. All potential residents will be made aware of the referral.
A visit to the unit will be arranged and any questions that may arise will be answered as fully as possible.

Each person referred to the service will have the option to accept or decline a place at Column House. Trial placements are available (if required) for a period of one month.

Should you accept a place at Column House a letter of confirmation will be sent and your care coordinator (usually your Community Psychiatric Nurse or Social Worker) will make an application for funding from your local funding body? Once funding has been agreed a date will be arranged for you to move into the unit. We aim to make this move as smooth as possible and will provide support for a smooth transition.

What do we expect from Residents?

We do have certain expectations from the residents, which are given in more detail in the residents agreements, all residents will be asked to sign prior to admission and to adhere to the key requirements of these agreements are:

• No illegal or non prescribed prescription drugs brought onto the premises, or used whilst off the premises. Residents will be required to provide a urine sample if it is suspected that they have been using illegal or non-prescribed substances.
• No alcohol to be brought on the premises and any alcohol drunk off of the premises is to be agreed with staff and consultant(s) due to possible interactions with medication. We operate a zero tolerance policy with regards alcohol, residents will be placed on report and strictly monitored should the rule be broken. All bags will also be searched on entry.
• No smoking anywhere in the house at all, except in the smoke room provided.
• Bullying or harassment of any kind (whether toward another resident, or to a member of staff) will not be tolerated and appropriate action will be taken to deal with any issues arising, which may include involvement of the Police.
• Violence or aggression of any kind (verbal or physical) towards another person will not be tolerated and police will be called.
• Those resident who are in the unit on a short-term or respite care basis, will also be expected to adhere to the same terms and conditions or residency as longer term residents of the unit.

Further details are available within the residents’ admission packs, which will be provided with prior to your admission to Column Care.