"Fantastic care on Norbury"

My sister has had two stays in St Georges before being transferred today to a long term placement. I am writing this review to try to reassure anyone having to go to the hospital, or worried family members who are wondering what it may be like. My sister has had short stays on Chebsey & Brocton wards, but spent most of her time on Norbury which is a more secure ward. The staff on Norbury have been amazing with my sister, the level of care she has received there has been second to none. The staff are considerate and caring, often going the extra mile to ensure patients are comfortable and happy. There is a real understanding of mental health issues and treating each patient as an individual, and seeing behind the issues to find out about the person. They have treated my sister with dignity and respect. She has had to be on constant observations at times, to keep her safe, but her feelings have always been considered and respected. She has laughed and cried with the staff there, and moving on for her today has been really emotional because of the fantastic care she has had. Staff there have talked with her throughout the night, sat with her, played games with her, eaten takeaways with her! It is those kind of things that have made such a huge difference to how she has felt when she has been there. I have seen patients there who are so vulnerable, who are at their lowest, desperately ill and in need of real care, and that is what they have received. Sadly, that is not always the case. A lot could be learnt by the NHS by looking at how things are done on this ward, because sadly our experiences have not always been so good. They have also been very thoughtful towards my family. Having someone you love in a situation like this is very difficult, and they completely get that, and are always happy to answer questions or involve family members in care where appropriate. There is still a long way to go with mental health care in this country, yet a small ward at a hospital in Stafford is getting it very right, and I will always be grateful for the excellent care my sister has received.