Welcome to Oaktree's Ward.

Oaktree's ward is a regional specialist inpatient unit for people with eating disorders. Oaktree's has a 14 bed acute care assessment and treatment ward for people with Eating Disorders. 

The ward is part of Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (“CWP”) Oaktree's is situated at Clatterbridge Hospital on the Wirral. The Ward Manager is Vicky Dettlaff. The Consultant Psychiatrists are Dr Matthew Cahill and Dr Tom Williams . You and your carers are welcome to talk with Vicky and the team to discuss any aspects of the care provided. 

We recognise that the change needed for recovery can be difficult and that people with eating disorders often have mixed feelings about this change. Our aim is to provide a safe and supportive environment in which patients can develop confidence and skills, on a journey towards their own recovery.

There are multiple different aspects to treatment on the ward. An essential part of this is re-feeding, which we understand may be        distressing. You will be supported throughout this process to ensure both physical and psychological wellbeing with medical care, nursing care, psychology and other therapies.

We know that there is a lot of information to take in when you first arrive. This can be hard to remember. However, this website will provide you with some information about how the ward works. If you have any other questions at any time, please ask a member of staff and they will do their best to help. 

This website section is split into seven sections:

  • Introductions and admission
    This opening section welcomes you to Oaktrees Ward and sets out the basics you’ll need as you arrive. It covers who we are, how to get in touch, our philosophy of care, and what happens during admission, so you and your family feel informed and supported from the very start.
  • Daily living and ward guidelines
    Life on the ward comes with routines and expectations designed to keep everyone safe and comfortable. This section explains practical matters such as what you can bring, visiting arrangements, and the facilities available, so you know what to expect day to day.
  • Meals and physical health
    Nutrition and physical wellbeing are central to recovery. Here you’ll find details about meal times, physical health checks, and guidance on maintaining safety and healthy habits during your stay.
  • Care and treatment
    Your care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team working together with you and your carers. This section outlines ward rounds, therapies, activities, and the philosophy of care that supports your treatment journey.
  • Safety, rights and advocacy
    Everyone has the right to feel safe, respected, and heard. This section explains safeguarding, confidentiality, legal rights, and advocacy services, ensuring you understand the protections and support available.
  • Carer and community support
    Recovery is strengthened by the involvement of carers, family, and community networks. This section highlights the support available to carers, how they can be involved, and the wider services that can help beyond the ward.
  • Discharge and aftercare
    Planning for discharge is an important part of your stay. This section covers how we prepare with you for leaving the ward, the safety plans in place, and the ongoing support available to help you continue your recovery in the community.

Please contact the ward office at any time if you wish to speak to staff. Staff may be unavailable if they are supporting patients, particularly at busier times of the day, for example meal times.

If carers are calling, please call again if you are unable to get through.

  • Oaktrees Ward Office – 0151 343 5518
  • Karen Ward Clerk  – 0151 343 5513

We understand it is very important to patients that friends and family are able to visit them on the ward. We kindly ask that visitors respect the visiting times.

This is so that patients can obtain the maximum benefit from meal times, OT and psychology sessions. Visiting times are:

  • 7.15pm-8.45pm on weekdays
  • 4.15pm-5.15pm and 7.15pm-8.45pm on weekends

There is a great deal more flexibility on weekends due to a lack of ward activities. However, we ask that mealtimes are respected unless a meal away from the ward has been arranged.

However, we recognise how important it is for you to spend time with your family/friends/carers. Therefore visiting times can be flexible to meet the needs of you and your family/friends/carers. Please phone to check before you visit, and please also be mindful that your visit does not clash with your treatment programme, ward rounds, occupational therapy activities and doctors’ meetings. Please speak to a member of staff if you wish to discuss this further.

We ask that visits take place in communal areas in order to respect the privacy and dignity of other patients and to maintain the safety of all people on the ward. Visits in your bedrooms may take place in exceptional circumstances. There are potential risks within the ward environment at times therefore staff need to be aware of visitors’ whereabouts.

Where it is appropriate, visits may take place in communal areas of Springview, such as the ‘healing environment’ area inside, the garden, or in other areas on the Clatterbridge Hospital grounds, such as hospital cafés. This would only be agreed if the clinical team feel it is safe to do so. If you would like more information please discuss this with a member of staff.

 

Child visiting policy

Children are not allowed to visit on the ward, due to the changeable nature of the ward environment. However, children are able to visit in communal areas at Springview or within the Clatterbridge Hospital grounds.

There is also a family room available upstairs at Springview, which provides a quieter, comfortable, more private space where children can visit. Please speak with a member of staff in advance to make arrangements to visit with children, so as the family room can be booked to accommodate this, as this room is shared with other wards across Springview.

Depending on your physical and mental health at the time of the visit it may be necessary for staff to accompany you whilst off the ward.

 

Pet visiting policy

If it is felt that your pet visiting you whilst you are in hospital would be of significant therapeutic value by the multi-disciplinary team, then advice will be sought from the Infection Prevention and Control nurse before the visit may take place. There are strict guidelines for animals who visit wards at Springview.

However, visits may take place outside of Springview on the Clatterbridge Hospital grounds; at the front of the building or at other places within the grounds. Please ensure that you have appropriate   resources to clean up and dispose of any waste during a visit.

Oaktrees is a specialist eating disorder unit providing assessment and treatment for severe anorexia nervosa. Care is provided by dedicated, skilled and experienced staff.

The care we provide reflects CWP’s commitment to the ‘6 C’s’, which are: 

  • Care
  • Compassion
  • Commitment
  • Competence
  • Communication
  • Courage

An individual person-centred care planning process will begin on admission in collaboration with you and your family/friends/carers, supporting your journey through the assessment process. Each patient will have a named nurse, supported by an associate nurse, who will co-ordinate aspects of your care. This ensures that you and your family/friends/carers have an identified, trained nurse acting as a focus for the care and support they receive. Oaktrees staff actively encourage family, friends and carers to participate in all relevant aspects of care.

Ward philosophy

As facing up to the problem of eating disorders can be extremely difficult for many sufferers, we at Oaktrees believe that every person is unique and entitled to sensitive and specialised care with understanding and compassion within a safe environment.

Our aim is to have an integrated team which shares a common philosophy, professionalism and understanding of the disorder. 

On admission you will be met by a member of staff and will be shown around the ward and introduced to the staff on duty. A doctor will complete an assessment. Nursing staff will commence a care plan which will be developed during your admission by staff, with you and your family/friends/carers.

We will ensure that you have information on:

  • Visiting times
  • Reviews
  • Activities
  • Medication
  • Care planning
  • Discharge planning
  • Spiritual care
  • Health and well-being

Much of this information is included in this booklet. We would like you to have all of the information you need, so please feel free to ask us any questions or to discuss any concerns you may have. 

The Trust aims to ensure that a range of translator/interpreter services are provided for those patients and family/friends/carers for whom English is not their first language or who may require communication support. Ward staff can request these services for you and your family/friends/carers as appropriate.

 

Learn more about Oaktrees Ward