"Highest Praise for Orchard Ward"

Our daughter will be discharged next week from Orchard Ward, being admitted voluntarily from London as a family we were extremely anxious. This being our daughters first admission and being a 4 hour drive away from home we had so many reservations ,also with all the restrictions due to local lockdown we had no clue how our daughters treatment would look and how visitation would work. I cannot praise highly enough the professionalism of all the staff on Orchard Ward. At first I drove the poor Nursing/HCA staff mad with constant calls and emails but every single member of staff were kind and understanding and would patiently explain everything to me. Yes the ward has rules, they have to protect and keep the adolescents safe, this includes the non use of camera phones ( I don't know about anyone else but I don't want my daughters face on social media whilst in hospital) so yes my daughter didn't have her phone for a week until we took her a brick phone. In the interim she had a detox from social media and the internet which I personally believe is fantastic. If we want to speak on the phone there is a patient phone that the adolescent can use or we can use to call her. She was admitted to heal and receive specialist help and support and has received exactly that. My daughter has accessed her education a talking therapist and music therapy which she has found invaluable. If you want to see what treatment is like from Nurses whom work for pay only and an extremely stretched CAMHS then come to London. I have had to fight like a lion to get just the smallest of help and support here in London with mental health nurses whom come to work for pay only and not in your child's best interest. To witness and receive the care we have from Orchard Ward has been refreshing and a huge relief. I want to say a HUGE thank you to every single member of the team on Orchard ward, from the amazing family therapist whom gave me space and supported me through a very tough time to the HCA's whom have been with my daughter as a 121 for a period of time and have been kind, helpful and lovely giving my daughter the support that she needed being away from everyone she loves and cares for. To the Nurses whom have communicated so well the care my daughter has been receiving and answering all my many questions with patience and understanding and just loveliness. To the management team on the ward whom have been so wonderful helping us with visits and replying to all of my queries. Finally to her Doctor whom has shown compassion and kindness, communicating with me with regards to treatment and answering all of my concerns and worries. Compassionate, kind, patient, empathetic, lovely.. I know I repeat the words but these staff members deserve this praise and more. Working under these circumstances cannot be easy but from our experience we see a team of staff whom have pulled together to work for the best outcome of our daughter and we cannot thank you all enough.