Melrose Ward is a 10-bed specialist rehabilitation service for women with complex mental health needs, based at The Orchard unit in Ealing.
The ward provides high support, trauma-informed care within a structured therapeutic environment, supporting recovery and transition back to the community.
Melrose Ward supports women who:
- Are aged 18 and over
- Have complex mental health needs
- Require intensive rehabilitation support
- Are moving from acute wards, rehabilitation services, or out-of-area placements
- Are under the Mental Health Act (MHA)
- Have a north west London care team.
Melrose Ward provides individualised, recovery-focused rehabilitation within a structured and supportive environment for women with complex mental health needs.
The service focuses on helping people to build confidence, develop practical life skills and progress towards greater independence, with a clear pathway back to community living. Wherever possible, this includes accessing opportunities off the ward.
Support includes:
- A structured daily programme, including therapeutic and community meetings
- A range of psychological therapies, including DBT and trauma-focused approaches
- Support to develop daily living skills, such as cooking, budgeting and self-care
- Opportunities for education, volunteering and work preparation
- Ongoing multidisciplinary support tailored to individual needs.
Service users are encouraged to take an active role in their care and in the ward community, supporting shared responsibility and peer support.
Care is trauma-informed and grounded in a biopsychosocial model, recognising the impact of psychological, social and physical factors on recovery.
Discharge planning begins at admission, with close involvement from community teams, families and support networks to ensure a safe and sustainable transition from hospital care.
Melrose Ward includes:
- Single en-suite bedrooms
- A communal kitchen and shared living space
- Access to a secure outdoor area
- Access to Orchard facilities, including the Atrium (shop, café, gym).
Melrose Ward is based within a secure site but follows a least restrictive approach.
- Individual risk assessments guide care
- Service users may access facilities based on their care plan and level of independence
- Safety procedures support both protection and dignity.
Carers, families and friends play a vital role in supporting recovery and wellbeing. We recognise carers as key partners in care and aim to work collaboratively with you throughout the person’s time on the ward. Where appropriate, carers can be involved in care planning and discharge planning to support recovery.
If you would like to visit Melrose Ward, please see the information below to help you prepare:
- Visits should be booked in advance and agreed with the clinical team
- Visitors will need to provide identification and may be searched on arrival, due to being situated on a secure site
- Children’s visits require prior approval
- Some items are restricted for safety reasons, and gifts may be reviewed.
Staff are available to provide information and support, and we encourage carers to speak to the team if they have any questions or concerns.
