"From suspicion and phobic anxiety to a massive..."

St.Ann's new layout was welcoming and the staff seemed less in my face in getting me settled into my room. I felt real low and the destructive thoughts in my head drove me to exhaustion but I could not sleep. Staff were ask to monitor me. In some instances it was okay but in others the subjects they raised about themselves were of no interest at all to me so, I found an house with them tedious. As time marched on I developed closer friendships with staff and they allowed me to just lie in my bed or on the bean-bag in the lounge without engaging in conversation. The staff were fantastic and before long they would openup aspects of their lives and suddenly the dynamics of "care" changed. From then on I could be very silent or share something real happening to me at that moment, or, I would out on a video and suddenly it would cause our conversations to diversify and now i was giving my words of wisdom at raising four children. I really appreciated working with everyone but certainly had my firm favourites. I can only sum up how I truly feel about AAU in that, I would love to join the team as I felt their was a bond developing towards that step. Congrats to all on AAU. You are wonderful! There is a feeling of ease and satisfaction from the staff which certainly puts us patienrtsat ease. A lot of activites are provided and a firm favourite was movie night. This required a member of staff to buy any nibbles that patients had suggested and set up the lounge again, according to patient preferrence. The Ward Manager had taken me out with them to buy items of toiletries that could be added to the male and female pamper boxes, ; boxes with after shave to scrubbing brushes and face masks to talcum powder. I personally felt a huge benefit from this when I fell rather weepy that day. You cannot talk about hospital without discussing the menus. I have stayed in two other large hospital in our area but they do not compete with St. Ann.s Hospital for St. Anns stand up far above the others. It is as if they remember all the ideosyncracies of each patient and modify each completed menu. Many visitors would remark on the well presented cakes and be surprized that the kitched did one for our ward every single day.