"A lack of compassionate care in mental health services"

I was admitted eventually to Chase Farm Hospital suffering from depression two weeks ago, and I must say that the experience of the lack of care, support and attention leaves a lot to be desired.

95%/96% of all the staff were from Afro/Caribbean or Asian backgrounds, many with difficulty with the English language and the level of communication was at all times minimal. I am Caucasian, there were only two Caucasian members of staff. In my opinion, they were the only people who made any effort to communicate at all with me.

There were people with all sorts of problems from Depression like myself to Drug and Alcohol dependence. The only communication that took place as far as I was aware was at mealtimes, when everyone was informed that meals were being served.

I felt that the rest of the time was spent ticking boxes on sheets to confirm that the patient was present and was breathing. Apart from the dispensing of medication, it felt to me like all other communication was kept to a minimum.

As if the above was not enough, what concerns me most was the fact that despite the written promise from Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental NHS Trust on their "Caring for you in Hospital" and "Caring for you in your Home" information for patients, I was told absolutely nothing about the Home Care available in my area, who it was I should contact and some of the contact numbers no longer exist.

If this is the state of the NHS Mental Health Care in the Community, I have no hope for us all. In my opinion it is staffed with people who seem to have absolutely no training in compassionate care and Patient communication - similar to the current news story about the care, or lack of, for the elderly. I think this needs to be addressed urgently.