"Lambeth Triage Assessment Ward"

I was admitted to Lambeth Triage ward during a relapse/crisis in August last year. Being 18yo at the time I was new to the adult pychiatric environment but none of the staff were compassionate about this. Upon arrival I was so scared about what to expect. I was admitted at around 3am and after my initial assessment I was just left in the interview room, door wide open - no privacy - where I was soon accompanied by another ill patient whom I felt quite intimidated by. I didn't know any better than to think that I was going to be harmed by the patient intruding however staff did not tend to my worries. I thought the staff would atleast take into consideration that I was the youngest of patients on the ward and show me to my room. I was left in that interview room for atleast an hour, then a nurse proceeded to carry out physical obs. I then had to ask to be showed to my room and to be given bedding. Throughout my stay on the assessment ward I was met with ignorant bank staff who lacked patience because all I seemed to do was cry. One bank staff even went on to say, "Why are you crying? Can you not answer the question - it's simple English" .. the same member of staff who would speak in a different language to the other bank staff. During medication rounds I would have to sit in the medical room with other patients whilst staff gave us our medication and spoke about patients' matters infront of other patients. Surely this is a breach of patient confidentiality?

I did not feel supported in any way. I was meant to be on 1:1 observations but staff would mind their own business and follow me in their own timing. This was so unhelpful considering my state of mind was so fragile and I was vulnerable and at risk to myself. Even in hospital I didnt feel safe which defeats the purpose really.

One of the first things I noticed during my stay was that staff treated every patient as if we all had the same level of mental capacity and staff portrayed a blasé attitude because perhaps they were under the impression that I was a regular admission when infact I was terrified of being admitted to an adult ward for the first time. Never once was I reassured about my anxieties. Neither was my recovery promoted. I was just constantly getting into trouble for crying. Its disgusting the way they relate to service users at times.