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What to expect
Heathlands Intermediate Care Unit is a purpose-built inpatient rehabilitation unit with 20 individual rooms. We collaborate with Bracknell Forest Council, Windsor and Maidenhead Council and other care teams to provide seamless care that promotes independence and supports timely transitions from hospital to home/community. The primary focus during your stay here is your rehabilitation. You can expect the team to work with you to achieve your individual short-term goals to enable a safe discharge from the hospital.
The multidisciplinary team (MDT) is made up of Nurses, Healthcare Assistants (HCAs), Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Therapy Technicians and Doctors. We will assist you with your normal activities of daily living. Whilst you may not receive physiotherapy daily, you will be given exercises and tasks to do, with support from your family, friends, and other members of the ward team.
It is expected that you will improve and leave hospital within a matter of days/weeks: it is not a place to stay and be looked after without participation in your own rehabilitation.
What is expected of you
- To engage and fully participate in your rehabilitation journey.
- To complete the rehab activities given to you by the MDT, either independently or with the help of family or friends or rehabilitation team.
- To get dressed into your own clothes and wear your own shoes where possible.
What else is available at Heathlands
Heathlands Intermediate Care unit has a communal dining room where patients can have their meals, watch TV, socialize and participate in activity groups. You are encouraged to attend these as a part of your rehabilitation journey.
We also have a wheelchair accessible garden, with wheelchairs available on the Unit for you to borrow. If you have family/friends who can take you, we are happy for you to spend time outdoors.
Being discharged
Discharge planning starts the day you are admitted. Our aim is to deliver quality rehabilitation to facilitate a safe and timely discharge from the ward. If, at the end of your inpatient rehabilitation period, you require care at home or a new care home placement, we will make the necessary referrals. This care can become available at short notice or may take some time to arrange.
What rehab looks like in practice
Your MDT will identify rehabilitation activities, most of which will be undertaken independently of the therapy staff. This could be getting yourself washed and dressed, walking in your bedroom, going to the dining room for your meals or practicing exercises etc.
The Therapy Team will undertake necessary assessments and prescribe your rehabilitation activities and goals, but the expectation is that you will undertake this program independently, with the support of your visitors and the wider MDT.
The Multidisciplinary Team
Our Nurses and HCAs facilitate your rehabilitation, supporting you to maximize and maintain independence as much as possible during daily tasks, such as washing, dressing, toileting, emptying your catheter or administering your own medications.
Our team of Physiotherapists and Therapy Technicians work closely with the wider team to provide comprehensive assessment, treatment and rehabilitation. Treatment often includes education, advice and exercise to maximize independence and self-management strategies.
Occupational Therapists work with you to find practical solutions that can help improve your independence to participate in daily activities. This can include personal care tasks such as washing and dressing, and domestic tasks such as preparing a hot drink. The OT can then establish what care and equipment you might need to support your discharge. This will be organized for you, but we may request family take home some equipment for you and/or provide information such as home furniture heights. If needed the OT may also visit your property (with your consent) and advise on different adaptations.
Every person admitted to Heathlands Intermediate Care Unit is under the care of a Consultant Physician who does a weekly Ward Round and often takes part in the MDT meetings to monitor your progress and rehabilitation. On a day-to-day basis your medical care is looked after by the Ward Doctors and Advanced Nurse Practitioner who ensure that acute medical needs are met, correct and appropriate medications prescribed, including when the time comes for discharge from hospital.
Visitor information
Visiting hours are 9am to 9pm, 7 days a week. There is free parking on site.
Heathlands is a secure facility so visitors will need to use the NHS Reception intercom and then make their way to Level 2 where Unit staff will allow access.
Restrictions are in place if you have Covid. Please check with the ward staff before visiting the Unit.
Concerns and problems
If you have any special requirements, concerns or worries then please let us know as soon as possible so we can support you.
Your property
Your belongings should be kept in the locker next to your bed and, if you move, these will be moved with you. Space is limited so please limit the personal belongings that you have with you.
We would advise that you don’t bring large amounts of cash or valuables with you. If you have anything valuable, then let staff know. The safety of valuable items remains your responsibility.
It is beneficial to have and wear your own clothes and footwear, so you can feel more like yourself whilst here. It is also useful to have a good supportive pair of slippers or shoes which have a back. You may wish to ask someone to bring books, puzzles, magazines etc for you whilst you are here. There is free TV in the lounge.
About this information
Reference:
DD/030
Approval date:
22 January 2026
Review date:
22 January 2029
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.