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Safety concerns about inpatient ward

Posted By noodles99

"Safety concerns about inpatient ward"

About: Stratheden Hospital / Adult mental health

(as a service user),

I spent a short period of time on the Lomond ward in Stratheden. Most of the staff were lovely and tried their best to support me even when I felt completely hopeless, and I built up some pretty strong therapeutic relationships during my short admission. 

However, the ward environment is simply awful. The Senior Nurse was aware of this and reassured me that there was going to be work undertaken to renovate it, but after my experience I believe this needs to be a priority as it is impacting patient safety. The ward is full of ligature points - there are railings on the walls in the corridors where patients are not always observed, there are hinges on the windows sticking out and the fixtures in the shared bathrooms are not ligature proof. The dormitories smell of smoke and there is no privacy as other patients are often quite unwell and will simply open your curtains. It's also very noisy at times and this is not good when you're already unwell. 

Despite some amazing care from individuals on the ward, I felt that there was a lack of planning and I didn't really know what was going to happen to me - everything was very last minute. I deteriorated quite rapidly over the course of my admission, with both suicidal behaviours and eating disorder symptoms and I don't believe appropriate intervention was taken to prevent this, for example I was never put on a food and fluid chart. I am also not sure if it was entirely ethical to be under constant observations whilst an informal patient and not being allowed to leave despite this, but I understand the rationale for this and it most likely did save my life.

Many of the staff were fantastic and I would like to thank them for helping me through such a tough time, especially since I didn't get the chance to say goodbye.

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Responses

Response from Siobhan Mcilroy, Head Patient Experience, Corporate Services, NHS Fife 11 months ago
Siobhan Mcilroy
Head Patient Experience, Corporate Services,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 16/06/2023 at 09:06
Published on Care Opinion at 09:06

picture of Siobhan Mcilroy

Dear noodles99

My name is Siobhan McIlroy and I am the Head of Patient Experience. NHS Fife welcomes all feedback, so thank you for taking the time to post on Care Opinion. I am sorry for the delay in you receiving a response.

I am glad that most of the staff were lovely and tried their best to support you when you felt completely hopeless however it is worry that not all the staff were this way. I glad you managed to build some strong therapeutic relationships this must have helped a great deal.

I am sorry ward environment so not better. There is going to be work undertaken to improve the mental health areas. I am sorry there was no privacy and the dormitories smelled of smoke this must have been very unpleasant for you.

I am sorry you didn't feel you care was planned well and that you did receive the care you needed when you deteriorated but I am pleased the team kept you safe.

I hope you are recovering well. Thank you again for sharing your story I am sure the team will welcome your feedback. Best wishes and take care Siobhan.

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Response from Deon Loudon, Clinical Services Manager, Mental Health, Acute Services, NHS Fife 11 months ago
Deon Loudon
Clinical Services Manager, Mental Health, Acute Services,
NHS Fife

Submitted on 19/06/2023 at 09:09
Published on Care Opinion at 09:20

Dear Noodles99

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience whilst on Lomond Ward. I am sorry to hear that your experience of the ward environment was not positive. I also appreciate that the ward environment is noisy and is not helpful to promote recovery when you are unwell.

Thank you for your positive feedback about staff who did their best to support you and build strong therapeutic relationships with you in a short space of time.

I would like to reassure you that there is a significant refurbishment programme being planned for our mental health admission wards and Lomond is a priority for all the reasons you have identified. Please be assured that while we await the refurbishment staff are particularly vigilant around the ligature risks and how to reduce the risk for individuals whilst on the ward.

If you would like to discuss the specific points you have made I would be happy to meet with you or you can raise the points with the Patient Experience Team. If you would like to discuss your experience further please contact Ann Bain, PA to Clinical Services Manager D Louden on 01334 696004 or email ann.bain@nhs.scot

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