"The Unit kept me safe but lacked compassion"

My admittance to the Bradgate Unit kept me alive when I would not have been safe under crisis home care. However, many of the staff lacked compassion and it was impossible to have my voice heard whilst on the ward despite trying my best to be informed and involved in my care. I was left in physical pain for hours waiting for medication to be admistered and ended up feeling that I deserved to be ignored at a time when I already felt ashamed at being ill.

I was also in a room on an adjoining corridor between female and male corridor under constant supervision from a staff member so not allowed to close the door. There was an incident where I was using the toilet and a male patient was able to enter the corridor and proceeded to have a conversation with the support worker at my open door as if this was perfectly acceptable, in total disregard for my privacy and dignity. 

I still struggle to talk about my experience on the ward 11 months on.