"my experience of St Andrew's"

This 'healthcare' place is anything but.I have a son in this place and the institution is intent on retaining him.He is there 27 monthsand went there with a diagnosis which was rapidly changed.The 'expertise' advertised did not even recognise this condition and mismanagement exacerbated the situation. We ourselves have been mistreated also as visitors and as concerned parents. Despite appointments made to visit our son we were left waiting for up to 22 minutes. We were advised not to visit at one stage due to 'health and safety '.We had already arrived to be advised of this.We subsequently found out that due to medication he did not recognise the staff,was drooling and had 'shakes'.This was the result of the 'expertise ' which seems to think that poly pharmacy is the solution .This advice meant that we did not see our son for 4 months until i decided that this was ridiculous.When we did visit he had been transferred to a more secure ward.What we saw shocked us.It will live in my memory forever.He was bent over a table and mute.Our son was never a conversationalist,rather gave a monologue on topics of interest.He always spoke giving factual information of which he informed himself. He was merely a shell,the essence of the person was gone .This horror took place in this 'healthcare'place.The lack of stimulation was obvious and much more besides. There is so much more I can write about this place,CPA meetings taking place without us,misrepresentation of what was said at meetings with us being misquoted to the point that these reports were laughable.An appointment with a clinician not kept despite the fact that long distance travel is involved. Security checks are excessive bearing in mind that these people 'know' us but regulation s firsr.A 'wand' brought to reception is irritating knowing that we must pass through a detector first having left personal phones and bags in lockers provided.2people at security check which is so offensive having signed that we had no contraband!this place should be able to assess visitors through the nature of the place.The detector gives a false positive many times and when challenged I have been informed that i could not see my son.iIhave walked through this same detector 3 times on one occasion before being allowed in as I refused the 'wand' to be used over my person. This treatment does no credit to this place. Visits are not private with a staff member or 2 present.Our son is a very private person so no conversation takes place also he is not allowed speak in a language of his choice. I could write much more but it upsets me when i think of the 'treatment' meted out to him. There is so much more I could write of our experiences.