"Concerned about my wifes poor care"

My wife was admitted under the Mental Health Act in November 2016, after a serious suicide attempt.

Since that time she was moved from one ward to another.

Her condition and well being has deteriorated from the first day of her admission.

Both myself and her family have raised concerns with the staff and no difference seems to have been made.

I was called by my wife one night, pleading for me to get her out. She had called the police due to the abuse  and an assault that had taken place on the ward. I was refused entry to the ward as it was out of hours so I called the police as well. When they arrived, the police were unable to have access to my wife.

I was able to visit the ward today and discuss my concerns with the ward manager and a matron. I was constantly told that they were working as part of a team that were helping my wife and that she was safe.

I managed to get some time with my wife and the truth of the horrors of this place emerged. I was shown pictures on her phone of boot prints on her body caused by staff attempting to restrain her. I was told how she felt that all the staff hate her, in particular one of the senior nurses, and continually ignore her pleas.

She has a history of self harm which she felt was mocked and ignored. After severely burning herself, we believe a nurse told her to run it under a hot tap, no medical attention was given or offered.

On another occasion two male nurses kicked her legs out from under her to carry out a search. This was carried out with male nurses present. On another occasion a visiting friend was asked to help with a body search as other staff were not available.

The ward manager said I should make a formal complaint and I was given a leaflet with this website on it. Hardly a formal complaint!