Ward Assist: Relieving Staffing Pressures for Mental Health Care on Wards

Partnering with the NHS and private hospital groups for safer, patient-centred, mental health support across the UK

Trusted by

For over a decade we’ve delivered secure patient-centred mental health care

Secure 24 secure ambulance fleet vehicles at base

Expert Ward Assist and Bedwatch Services for Hospital Staffing Solutions

Learn More

Healthcare facilities often struggle to provide care for mental health patients undergoing medical treatment. Ward assist, also known as bedwatch or sitting services, is a crucial support system for healthcare facilities in filling this critical gap.

  • Maintain staff to patient ratios as required by patient care plans
  • Prevent self-harm
  • Minimise distress to the patient and others
  • Allow delivery of necessary treatments
  • Safeguard staff and other patients

Our trained staff are available 24/7 to offer compassionate, engaged care to every patient. This frees your nursing staff to focus on core responsibilities. It also ensures each patient receives the support they need throughout their healthcare journey.

Our approach: 

Positive engagement results in positive behaviour

Traditional bed-watching services often react only when issues arise, but we believe that positive engagement results in positive behaviour. That’s why our approach focuses on continual support and engagement to minimise stress and prevent escalations. In this way, we aim to create a positive therapeutic environment that benefits both patients and healthcare staff.

Compassionate care

We see patients as individuals, not just cases, so we provide emotional support and understanding to every patient in our care.

Positive engagement

Our staff engage patients in activities they enjoy, such as arts and crafts, board games, or music, to promote a calm and engaged environment.

De-escalation expertise

We’re trained to handle challenging behaviours with patience and skill, reducing the need for restrictive interventions.

Gender-matched support

We prioritise patient comfort by matching staff gender to patient preference when possible.

There may be occasions when restrictive interventions are necessary. Our staff are trained to approach each situation calmly and apply least restrictive practice, using soft restraints where required. 

Learn More

The Ripple Effect:

Why Ward Assist Matters

By choosing our 24/7 ward assist services, you’re doing more than filling a staffing gap – you’re creating a positive ripple effect across your facility:

  • Reducing strain on nursing staff, allowing them to focus on their primary duties 
  • Decreasing reliance on hospital security for patient supervision
  • Lowering risk of patient and staff injuries
  • Improving patient outcomes and overall ward atmosphere
Learn More
A Secure 24 secure ambulance on call at a healthcare site

Trusted by healthcare professionals

  • “No. 1 provider for transporting sectioned patients”

    Secure 24 is our number one provider for transporting our sectioned patients. 

    The crews treat our patients with care and compassion by the crews, and they are meticulous in ensuring all paperwork is accurate and complete. The vehicles have all the equipment to make journeys comfortable, practical and even ‘enjoyable’ with films etc.

    Bookings are made swiftly and crews keep us updated on ETAs. 
    Sara Reeve
    Logistics Coordinator
East Surrey Hospital Trust

  • “Positive experiences in extremely challenging circumstances”

    The staff members clearly receive excellent training and are always empathic and organised. They always listen carefully to the advice and guidance of the professionals involved in the Mental Health Act assessments they have participated in.
    So, we have only had positive experiences in some extremely challenging circumstances.
I highly recommend Secure24.
    Stuart Burt
    Approved Mental Health Pro
East Surrey AMHP Team 

  • Invaluable support
           

    The crew’s exceptional communication, kindness, and patience shone through in a challenging situation. Their negotiation skills were fantastic, always prioritizing verbal de-escalation. When circumstances escalated, their response was spot-on – proportionate and necessary. 

    As an AMHP, I always feel confident with Secure 24 on the scene. We truly work as a team, and I value their expertise in the conveyance process. Their support is invaluable.
    Diaga Trubeckaja
    Approved Mental Health Pro West Sussex AMHP Team 

FAQs

Ward assist service, also known as bed watch or sitting service, provides specialised support for patients requiring constant supervision or care in hospital settings. Our service goes beyond traditional observation, offering active engagement to improve patient outcomes.

We pride ourselves on our responsive service. While not an emergency service, we can typically arrange ward assist support within [X] hours of a request, depending on the specific needs and location.

Absolutely. We offer safe and secure patient transfer services, ensuring continuous care and support during transitions between healthcare facilities or to/from appointments.

Absolutely, we provide Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Our policies and procedures for secure transport and bed watch are meticulously developed and regularly reviewed to prioritise patient safety and manage risks effectively.

We have a separate safeguarding policy for children and young persons, ensuring that all our practices align with the highest standards of care. Additionally, all our staff undergo enhanced DBS checks, including those specific to working with children, and receive thorough training to handle a variety of situations.

This ensures that each person in our care receives the appropriate level of care tailored to their specific needs and presentation, whether they are young persons, adults, or the elderly

For long-term assignments, we use a carefully managed rotation system. This ensures our staff remain alert and engaged while maintaining continuity of care. We always ensure there’s overlap during shift changes to maintain rapport and consistency of care for the patient.

Our approach focuses on active engagement and proactive care, not just observation. We aim to prevent incidents through positive interaction, therapeutic activities, and a deep understanding of every patient’s needs and care plan.

Yes of course. All our staff have an enhanced DBS check and full training and experience in working with mental health patients.

Don’t let transport bottlenecks compromise patient care and hospital performance.

Book Transport Now