"My experience as an informal inpatient"

Highbury Hospital Rowan 2

I am currently an informal patient on the above ward.

After reaching out for help from the mental health crisis team I was admitted to the Cassidy section 136 suite where I was treated without any regard for my human rights let alone my dignity. The staff were dismissive when I became upset and I have been left traumatised and feeling violated.

That will be another complaint when I am able to put the experience into words.

I am now in Rowan 2 where the care and communication has been appalling, I am unable to access meals in social settings and find it extremely difficult to go out onto the ward or ask for help due to my autism profile. I have explained this multiple times but I have still not been offered food or drink at most mealtimes. 

A male staff member came into my room while I was on the toilet (that does not have a door that allows me to have privacy) and shouted that it was breakfast time. By the time I came out of the bathroom he was gone and no offer to bring any breakfast to me was made and I was unable to go out onto the ward to request some.

I totally understand their need to keep me safe because of my intense suicidal feelings (that is why I asked for help) but they have refused to listen to my views or those of my partner, my sister or therapist when I have repeatedly requested that they return my phone and iPad chargers and Alexa smart speaker to me.

I understand that as an informal patient they cannot impose blanket bans but they have given multiple different reasons why I can’t have them and refused to listen to everyone telling them that I am not, and never have been, at risk from using ligatures. I am also not impulsive, I abhor being the centre of attention or causing a scene so there is no way I would do anything as dramatic or futile as make a suicide attempt on a ward full of people. It is clear to me that they are not respecting me as an individual but only seem interested in covering their backs.

I have requested to see my individual risk assessment as I believe it is not fit for purpose - if it has actually been written. As part of my job, I am fully aware of how to write a risk assessment, as well as how to support people when they are distressed. Part of the risk assessment process should involve gathering information from the people who know the subject best alongside listening and observation.

Apparently (according to two members of staff), because I find it difficult to leave my room and haven’t engaged with the staff they have been unable to do a risk assessment. However I am perfectly happy to engage with any professional who will come and talk with me but I was left on my own for two days (during which I repeatedly requested to have my property returned) before this happened. This is like saying they wouldn’t be able to risk assess me if I was in a wheelchair but didn’t go upstairs, which I consider to be disability discrimination.

I explained repeatedly, as did my partner, that access to music is vital for me to self regulate especially during the night. Without my Alexa I am unable to play the music I need when I need it and stop it when I no longer need it during the night.

I have also had to repeatedly request that I am given the medication that my GP prescribed me for IBS during the normal medication rounds and have been told several times that this request has been written down but then it has not been given to me. The latest excuse was that as it’s PRN I have to request it each time I want it.

It seems that each member of staff has a different understanding of policies and procedures with no consistent communication either with me or between the staff.

I will be requesting a transfer to the hospital where I was originally referred to. I know this won’t be straightforward but staying here is retraumatising me and has had a significant negative impact on my mental health.

I don’t know if you can help. My sister has made an initial complaint to the CQC and my youngest sister who is a solicitor will be investigating where we go from here but I needed to register my complaint as the situation is unbearable.