Patient Manual & Welcome Pack

Patient Welcome Pack 2026

Welcome Message

Welcome to Cardinal Clinic. We know that choosing to begin or continue treatment is a courageous and significant step, and we are honoured you have chosen us. For nearly 50 years, our hospital has been a place of compassionate, expert mental health care for patients and their families.

During your time here, our team is dedicated to your safety, dignity and recovery. We provide care with professionalism, warmth and respect, and we are committed to working alongside you, your loved ones and our staff to support you on your journey.

This handbook is designed to help you understand how our hospital works, what you can expect from your care, and how we will all work together. If anything is unclear, please speak with a member of our team.

Purpose and Values

Our purpose is to provide compassionate, high-quality mental health care that is centred on you. We believe true healing and recovery are possible when care is personal, expert and delivered with respect.

• Patient Centred Care: Your journey is unique, and so is your care plan. We work collaboratively with you to understand your needs, values and long-term goals.
• Clinical Excellence: Our multidisciplinary team includes psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and therapists who use evidence-based approaches.
• Safety and Dignity: We provide a calm, respectful and therapeutic environment with 24/7 support from the clinical team.
• Continuous Improvement: We are committed to learning, improving and raising the standard of care.

Key Contact Details

Address:

Cardinal Clinic, Bishops Lodge, Oakley Green, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 5UL, United Kingdom

Phone numbers:

• Switchboard: 01753 869755
• Nurse Phone 1: 07352 072683
• Nurse Phone 2: 07352 072682
• HCA Phone: 07352 072681

Urgent and Crisis Support

For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 999 or alert staff using the nurse call system.

For urgent but non-life-threatening mental health support:

• NHS 111 mental health option: Call 111 and select the mental health option. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Samaritans: Call 116 123 free from any phone. Available 24/7, 365 days a year.
• Shout Crisis Text Line: Text "SHOUT" to 85258 for free, confidential, 24/7 text support.

Rights and Legal Status

As a patient, you have legal rights. It is our responsibility to protect them, including your right to:

• Dignity and respect
• Confidentiality
• Informed consent
• Privacy

Cardinal Clinic is regulated by the Care Quality Commission and is licensed to provide services by the CQC. Provider ID: 1-22155206622.

Mutual Safety and Expectations

Please help us maintain a safe and therapeutic community.

Respect yourself and others:

• Treat all patients and staff with kindness and respect.
• Respect confidentiality. What is said in therapy sessions and groups stays in the group.
• Do not take photos or videos within the clinic or grounds.
• Be mindful of noise, especially during quiet hours from 10pm to 7am.

Be present and participating:

• Make every effort to attend scheduled groups, meetings and therapy sessions.
• Engage constructively and be open to new ideas.
• Ask staff for help if you are struggling or need support.

Health and safety:

• Smoking and vaping are only permitted in designated outdoor areas.
• Follow clinic rules and staff directions.
• Keep personal belongings tidy and in your room.
• Patients are not permitted to enter each other's rooms.
• If you intend to leave the clinic, tell a member of staff. Approval for departure is based on clinical recommendations.
• When returning to the clinic, bags must be searched by a member of staff.
• Post and packages must be addressed to the clinic and opened in the presence of staff.

Emergency Procedures

For medical incidents, security alerts or other emergencies, alert nursing staff immediately by using your nurse call button or speaking to staff directly.

Staff will provide clear instructions. Remain calm and follow directions.

Please locate the exits and your nearest alarm point. A floor plan is available near the main staircase and on the back of your room door.

Fire Procedures

If you hear a fire alarm, treat it as a real emergency.

If you discover a fire:

• Sound the alarm using the nearest fire alarm call point.
• Follow the green and white fire exit signs.
• Proceed calmly to the designated assembly point in the car park.
• Report to a member of staff so your presence can be confirmed.
• Do not re-enter the building until told it is safe by emergency services or senior staff.

Informal Patients

At Cardinal Clinic you are an informal patient. This means you have chosen to come into hospital voluntarily and are not detained under the Mental Health Act. Please continue to work with staff if you need to leave the clinic, as departure decisions are guided by clinical recommendations and safety planning.

Accommodation and Facilities

We want you to feel as comfortable as possible during your stay. Our facilities are designed to be calming and secure so you can focus on recovery.

• You will have a private room and access to communal lounges and quiet garden areas.
• Each room has a laundry bin.
• Housekeeping regularly cleans rooms and shared areas.
• Fresh linen and towels are provided.
• Ask staff if you need laundry support.
• The gymnasium and swimming pool may be available as part of your treatment plan, based on clinical discretion.

Meals

Good food is an important part of recovery. Meals are prepared by our kitchen team and served in the dining room.

Each morning you will be given a menu for the day's meals. Please choose your lunch and dinner and write them on the sign-up sheet. The HCA can assist you with this process.

Please tell staff about allergies or dietary needs so meals can be prepared safely.

Meal times:

• Breakfast: 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
• Lunch: 1:00 PM
• Dinner: 6:00 PM

Therapeutic Approach

Cardinal Clinic uses a compassionate, evidence-based and integrative model of care. We do not rely on a single type of therapy. Instead, we draw on established modalities to create a personalised treatment plan.

Our approach includes:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helps you understand and change the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT): Builds skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation and effective communication.
• Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores how past experiences influence current life and relationships.
• Active and skills-based groups: Experiential Group and Psych Ed provide practical skills and real-life experiences beyond traditional talk therapy.

Therapeutic Community

A significant part of healing takes place within the clinic community. We see every interaction as a chance for growth.

Conflict may be used as a tool for healing. Staff and therapists can help people identify triggers, practise communication and boundary-setting, gain insight and find more effective ways to resolve conflict.

Sundays have a lighter schedule by design. This intentional break gives you time to slow down, reflect, process emotions and prepare for the week ahead.

Daily Therapeutic Programme

Planning Group

09:00-10:00 daily.

Planning Group is a gentle and intentional start to the day. It includes an emotional check-in, personal goal setting, the day's schedule and gratitude sharing.

Process Group

10:00-11:15 daily.

Led by a therapist, Process Group offers a safe and confidential space to explore thoughts, feelings and relationships. It supports open expression, insight, connection, honest feedback and emotional regulation.

Psycho-education

12:00-13:00 daily.

Psych Ed is a structured and interactive group facilitated by an Assistant Psychologist. It includes teaching, discussion and practical exercises.

Topics include emotional regulation, CBT and DBT skills, communication, social skills, self-care, recovery, anxiety, depression and PTSD.

Experiential Therapy

14:00-15:45 daily.

Experiential Therapy uses activities such as sports, gardening, art or board games to help you express emotions, build trust, gain insight and access feelings that may be difficult to express through conversation alone.

1:1 Therapy

Allocated daily.

1:1 therapy is a collaborative partnership focused on your personal goals. Early sessions often involve assessment, followed by active therapeutic work such as learning distress management skills, exploring patterns or practising new ways of interacting.

Your sessions are private within the clinical team. Confidentiality is only breached if there is a serious risk of harm to you or others.

Reflection Group

17:00-18:00 daily.

Reflection Group reviews the day, practises gratitude and looks ahead to tomorrow. It includes emotional check-in, goal review, planning for tomorrow, gratitude sharing and quiet journaling time.

Community Group

Wednesday 09:30-10:00.

Community Group is a collaborative forum to discuss day-to-day clinic life, share feedback and contribute to a safe, responsive and empowering environment.

Aftercare Group

Sunday 11:00-12:00.

Aftercare Group supports recovery beyond daily sessions. It provides a confidential anchor for connection, accountability, coping strategies, logistical support and gratitude.

Family Group

Sunday 14:00-15:00.

Family Group is a weekly support space for relatives only. Patients do not attend. No patient details or clinical progress are discussed. The group focuses on relatives' experiences and self-care.

Care Planning Meetings

Your Care Planning Meeting happens weekly and is usually facilitated by your Case Manager, often with your Assistant Psychologist and/or Therapist.

In this meeting, you and your team will:

• Review progress from the past week.
• Set practical, achievable goals for the coming week.
• Coordinate care with professionals such as behavioural coaches, psychologists, therapists and other specialists.

Holistic Care

• Mindfulness: Tuesday 16:00-16:45. Gentle breathwork and relaxation techniques to calm the nervous system.
• Soundbath: Wednesday 19:00-20:00. Resonant instruments such as crystal bowls and gongs support deep relaxation.
• Yoga: Thursday 16:00-16:45. Gentle movement and breathwork for all abilities.

Other Treatments and Providers

Massage

A professional therapist can visit the unit on request. Treatments may include Thai Yoga Massage, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Deep Fascia and Indian Head Massage. These optional services are not covered by insurance and are charged privately.

Hair and Beauty

A professional beauty therapist can visit the unit on request for hairdressing, styling, manicures, pedicures and facials. These optional services are charged privately and are not covered by insurance.

Coaching Support

Coaching is focused on small, meaningful steps forward in day-to-day life. It can support confidence, motivation, realistic goals, independence and life beyond the clinic. Speak to staff if you would like to find out more or ask to be referred.

Flow

The Flow headset is a medically approved, non-invasive device used as part of a treatment plan for depression. It delivers a gentle electrical current and is worn for 30-minute sessions. Set-up is pending Psychiatrist approval.

During a session, you may feel mild tingling, itching or warmth. The Flow app guides each session. Sessions are structured over a 10-week period and your care team will explain your schedule. Staff monitor suitability and side effects such as headaches or dizziness.

ExoMind

ExoMind is a non-invasive, drug-free brain stimulation treatment designed to enhance neuroplasticity and support focus, mood regulation, stress resilience and sleep.

Additional cost: £350 per session. A standard course includes 6 sessions of approximately 25 minutes. A psychiatric assessment is required to tailor the protocol.

ExoMind may not be suitable for people with metallic or electronic implants near the head, a history of seizures or epilepsy unless cleared by a neurologist, pregnancy, brain tumour or acute withdrawal from alcohol or substances.

Myogenes

Myogenes is a non-invasive cheek swab pharmacogenetic test that analyses how genes may affect response to medication.

Additional cost: £786.

Key benefits include reducing trial and error, minimising side effects, supporting personalised care and providing results that remain relevant for a lifetime.

The test can often be funded by private medical insurance. A letter of clinical justification and approval from your Consultant Psychiatrist is required before the test can be conducted.

Physical Health

Physical and mental health are connected. Cardinal Clinic works with Sheet Street General Practitioners to provide medical services for inpatients.

Nursing staff will work with you and the GP team to address physical health needs. Monitoring may include blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and weight.

Please tell staff about physical health conditions, allergies and medications.

Medication

Medication is a key part of many treatment plans. We want you to feel informed and in control.

Medication is managed to ensure accuracy, prevent errors, provide support and monitor your response.

Medication times:

• Morning: 8:30 AM
• Noon: 12:30 PM
• Night: 8:30 PM

When it is time for your medication, please go to the clinic room where a nurse will assist you.

PRN medication means "as needed" medication. It is only taken when you feel you need it, as discussed with your doctor.

You have the right to accept or refuse medication. Your psychiatrist will explain the purpose of each medication and potential side effects. Any changes will be discussed with you first.

On-Site Facilities

The gymnasium and swimming pool may support physical and mental wellbeing as part of your treatment plan.

Access is based on clinical discretion. Your care team will determine whether these facilities are suitable and safe for you.

Fees, Insurance and Billing

Some optional services and specialist treatments have additional costs. Massage, hair and beauty treatments are private add-ons and are not covered by insurance. ExoMind is £350 per session. Myogenes is £786 and may be funded by private medical insurance if approved with clinical justification from your Consultant Psychiatrist.

Please speak to the clinic team if you have questions about fees, insurance or additional charges.