Life at the Unit

You might be wondering what life is like at Thorneywood.

Although it is sometimes called ‘going into hospital’, it’s not like most hospitals you might have been to. Thorneywood is a Unit just for children and young people.

Our routine is listed below to give you an idea of a typical day at Thorneywood.

You can also see an example of an activity timetable [pdf] 69KB . This changes regularly, so this one is just to give you an idea.

 

In the morning

The young people are woken at 8am. Medication is between 8am and 8.30am. Then it’s time for breakfast.

During the week, except on bank holidays and school holidays, young people usually go to the education base from 9.30am until 12pm.

 

In the afternoon

After lunch, it’s back to the education base from 1pm until 3pm.

From 3pm until dinner at 5pm, the young people have free time or do ward activities.

 

In the evening

There is more time for this after dinner, from 5.45pm to 6.30pm.

Visitors can come to the unit between 6.30pm and 8pm. This is more flexible during the school holidays.

Bedtime for under 15s is at 9.45pm. Bedtime for 15s and above is 10.30pm (11pm at the weekend).

 

Extra information

There are medication times throughout the day, depending on what each young person needs.

As well as the main mealtimes, there are snacks at 10.30am and 3pm, and supper at 8.30pm.

Ward rounds are every Tuesday morning. This is when our team meets to discuss each patient’s progress and set goals for them. There is patient and family/carer feedback in the afternoon.

During school holidays and at weekends we have planned activities. This includes things like trips to the cinema, the zoo, or meals out.

Therapy dogs visit the Unit on Wednesday afternoons.

Sessions such as psychology sessions, family therapy, one-to-one meetings with key-workers, occupational therapy sessions and activity sessions are arranged individually. There are also group sessions, which are usually during free time.