Star quality.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The Star Wards scheme is a voluntary initiative involving approximately 150 wards.
• The program aims to enhance the therapeutic value of activities available to mental health inpatients.
• Current inpatient settings present challenges in providing diverse and engaging activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of the Star Wards scheme on patient well-being.
• To identify preferred therapeutic activities for mental health inpatients.
• To address the need for increased physical activity opportunities in psychiatric facilities.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of the voluntary Star Wards scheme across 150 participating wards.
• Collection of patient feedback on suggested activities, including library access, horse riding, internet, and comedy.
• Analysis of patient preferences, with a focus on exercise.

Main Results:

• Approximately 150 wards are actively participating in the Star Wards scheme.
• A wide range of therapeutic activities have been suggested, catering to diverse patient interests.
• Service users have expressed a strong preference for increased opportunities for physical exercise.

Conclusions:

• The Star Wards scheme is successfully engaging multiple wards in providing therapeutic activities.
• Patient-centered feedback highlights a significant demand for exercise within mental health inpatient environments.
• Addressing the demand for exercise is crucial for improving the therapeutic milieu in psychiatric care.