"My inpatient experience in an acute mental health ward"

I was admitted to Lomond Ward, Stratheden Hospital, Cupar, Fife, following a serious attempted suicide. This was the latest in a long history of mental health issues I had experienced throughout my adult life. I was exhausted, frightened and disappointed that I was still alive. I was broken, mentally and physically! I watched my wife leave the ward and I believed that I was a hopeless case, useless and pathetic.

I was shown to my bed space by a very quiet (I thought) Northern Irish nurse (Lianne) with a lovely soft voice, she was very reassuring and her demeanour was just what I needed at that point. She was there for me if I needed her, equally, she gave me space and respected that I was not in a good place and in no mood to talk about very much at that time. Lianne became one of the nurses that I would share my thoughts with throughout my 10 week stay.

My named nurse Anne was introduced to me and again her personal nursing qualities reassured me, she also have me space, particularly in the first few weeks where I rarely spoke to anyone or even emerged from behind my curtains.  I always knew that she was there though and this was true of every one of the nursing staff, they were all very approachable, sympathetic and empathetic. Always willing to listen and give advice if sought or just listen, being a creature of habit I also had another nurse who I spent time with on one to one chats, Kirsty, who was a Charge Nurse.

These nurses are being named and singled out for special mention as they were the staff I spoke to most, I have to reiterate however that all staff were special and I did speak to almost every member of the team at some point.

My Psychiatrist was Dr Kinnear and his junior Dr Sherlock. I felt very comfortable with these doctors from day one and right up to when I was discharged. For the first time in 30+ years, I felt that I had expert clinicians listening to me, treating me with respect, so very keen to get to the bottom of my mental health problems anybody most importantly, keen to give me a life after discharge. After a diagnosis of undiagnosed ADHD, which I was initially sceptical about, but was soon to embrace after some personal research and changes to my medication I began to feel that I had a chance of recovery.

As time went on and my treatment continued, and my time on the ward became more productive I knew that the diagnosis was the correct one. Meetings with Dr Kinnear and Dr Sherlock, one to one's with nursing staff, taking part in ward activities and absolute acceptance on my part paved the way for eventual discharge into community care from a CPN and another psychiatrist which I have just begun.

As well as the superb professional care that I experienced the nursing staff were also very good natured, enjoyed some fun and liked to laugh with the patients. Lianne as I pointed out was not as quiet as I first thought, she was always keen to chat  and always has time for neither and coffee answers Anne and Kirsty and all the other staff members.

Although it seems like a contradiction this stay in hospital has probably saved my life, the staff and the lovely country setting of the hospital have all combined to see me discharged with a new outlook on life and a determination to make the best of things. I wish to thank every single member of staff who contributed so much time, patience and effort into my recovery. I will never forget them.

Things I would like to see changed:

Food service could be better, a menu choice rather than the first come, first served system currently employed, where you may be left with nothing you want or actually like to eat.

Accompaniments to the main meals could be more varied and imaginative, eg, mashed or boiled potatoes do not go well with pasta dishes, salad, chips or garlic bread do. Some dishes like chicken chasseur go with rice, fish goes with peas, not mashed turnip etc.

Noise reduction, patients being challenged when playing loud music in shared dormitories, corridors etc, should be a headphones only policy. TV room door to be closed to prevent noise disturbing patients requiring a quiet environment etc. Clear rules to be followed.