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"I feel more restricted on a low secure ward"

About: St Andrew's Healthcare Birmingham / Northfield

(as a staff member posting for a patient/service user),

I don't like this place. I feel stuck on the ward and can't get fresh air. The fans are going and I can't sleep properly. I was stuck on the ward for 11 days. I can't get out unless I ask but when I do ask, there are not enough staff to take me out.

I have been here for nearly two years. In the previous hospital, I could go out into the courtyard anytime up until 10 O'clock at night and look up at the stars. Here we can't go out into the courtyard. My last hospital was medium secure and I feel more restricted on a low secure ward. This is supposed to be people's home but it doesn't feel like it. They are starting to do things for me now. They let me have gardening. I asked in my ward round and I am growing some plants in pots. We also have one gym staff on but I think it should be 2 people, you could perhaps have someone who likes doing the gym to go in and help patients in the sports hall. I don't really bother about my care plan. I want to keep busy and I don't want to be sitting in front of the telly all the time. I think it's boring on the ward. Where I was before I could go out into the courtyard all the time. I think I have become more aggressive because of this place, it drives me nuts, I would rather go back to medium secure. .

I would like you to clarify the process to get our money because it takes a long time to come through. Why does our money have to be sorted out through Northampton? Everything has to be done there. I ordered a cheque and last time it took 8 days. Sometimes it takes weeks to arrive. I don't get much money. I get £25. 00 a week because I am a prison transfer. I save up my money to get some new clothes, then I have to wait a long time for it.

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Responses

Response from Catherine Vichare, Clinical Director/Clinical Lead, St Andrew's Healthcare 7 years ago
Catherine Vichare
Clinical Director/Clinical Lead,
St Andrew's Healthcare
Submitted on 28/02/2017 at 19:44
Published on Care Opinion on 01/03/2017 at 10:10


picture of Catherine Vichare

I was really interested to read your comment, and particularly your queries about fresh air, and time out in the courtyard in the evenings. Access to outside space is something that I am looking in to at the moment, so if you would like to talk to me further about this, please speak to your named nurse or a member of the patient experience team.


I will discuss the issue about finances with our finance staff on site, and see if there is anything we can do, or at least raise your concern about the length of time it took to access your money.

I am pleased to say that you now have an activity coordinator for Northfield, so please approach them to discuss use of the gym and other sports facilities.
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