Earlier this year I went into Lewisham hospital as a voluntary patient.
My medication was changed to a new one, this caused lots of side effects and was then stopped, and my condition deteriorated to the point where I had attempted to take my life.
I was then asked if I minded being transferred to a hospital in East Sussex. On arrival I was searched, my phone, bank cards and money were taken off me. This hospital was a medium secure hospital. Being in the ward was scary with lots of unwell patients.
The staff informed me to keep an eye out as the other patients were unpredictable and could attack me. Myself and another patient agreed to watch each others back. A day later we were moved to a new ward which was brand new and still being decorated. It was cold and had very little facilities.
Eventually more staff arrived but we had minimal items for us to ocuppy ourselves.
This caused untold distress to myself and my friends who visited.
This experience has caused numerous problems with my depression and physical health. I have been in and out of hospital with my depression, physical health problems and had amnesia which resulted in me being arrested under a section 136. I have been reliably informed that informal patients are not allowed to be on a medium secure ward.
I think my mental health has been severely affected by this experience.
"my lack of appropiate treatment"
About: Inpatient mental health care (Croydon) Inpatient mental health care (Croydon) SE5 8AZ
Posted by Messup (as ),
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference ››
Responses
See more responses from Lou Hellard