I was a patient on Iris Ward recently. I had heard so many great things about this psychiatric ward and my expectations of it were high. My experience however, was far from good.
On the ward there is something called "Therapeutic Time" where staff (ALL staff) are supposed to spend time with the patients. this can be doing activities, having a quiet word etc. IT was always the students who did this. Staff never gave up their time during Therapeutic time to see how their patients were doing - REASON? too much paperwork and not enough time for high quality care!
Confidentiality - hardly anything was private or confidential. Other patients knew about my care, my diagnosis, my observation levels, my problems - because they overheard staff talking about things.
Physical health - this was completely overlooked and I would sometimes have to wait a full day to get painkillers while i was in excrutuiating pain, while other times i did not get anything. Though I understand that staff are reluctant to give out tablets, they go too far.
Attitudes - staff attitudes were very negative most of the time. many people complained about the same staff members on that ward (consultants included) but were too ill to put in a formal complaint. Yet mention any names to other people within 5BP and see what happens.
Truth - what happens on the ward and what staff reported back to the consultant was not true half the time - which proved they just write or say what they think is the right thing. I was told that staff reported I was communicating well and getting on with other patients. This could not have been further from the truth as I spent most of my time in my room and only spoke to anybody else when i had to.
ACUTE CARE - it is emphasised that Iris Ward is an acute care ward only. This was one of the reasons staff were keen to get me discharged (whether i was better or not). Yet there are patients who have been in there for months. What exacly IS considered ACUTE? and what happens if you are not feeling better or ready to be discharged after this time-period?
my suggestions?
staff need to listen more and be more aware of their patients feelings and thoughts.
there need to be more staff nurses on duty during one shift as well as more assistants to ensure patients receive high quality care.
Patients need to be given an idea of how long they will be in hospital and what will happen during their stay.
Staff should be more careful about what they say and who they say it in front of. They also need to be aware of certain patients who stand at the office door and listen in to their conversations.
If a patient is prescribed medication and asks for it with good reason they should be listened to. Again more staff nurses should be on duty so there are adequate amounts of staff ready to administer medication on request and not just at the stated ward times.
Staff need to be more positive towards their patients and should take the time to listen carefully instead of telling patients how they "should" feel. PAtients should not be blackmailed by staff by having to listen to "you are hurting your family" etc.
Remember - if somebody is ill then they need care and empathy. They don't need to be told they can't stay in a place that is Safe for them at that time because their time is up on the acute care ward. All they want is time to recover and somebody to listen - really is that so much to ask for?
"Iris Ward"
About: St Helens Hope And Recovery / Iris Ward St Helens Hope And Recovery Iris Ward WA9 3DA
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