"Very poorly run and a harrowing experience"

Aside from a few v hardworking, kind nurses/staff sadly Lillie Ward is NOT a place to get well from mental health problems. Lillie Ward is a femail ward only but sadly mixes patients who have very severe issues (with aggression, pschosis & paranoid schizophrenia and incontinency ) with patients suffering from depression, anxiety, self harm, anoxeria. At times it can be very frightening and stressful there due some patients behaviour particularly as many of the staff turn a blind eye. Particularly the night staff who rarely show any empathy or kindness. Most glare at you for no reason & look miserable/unmotivated in their role. Whilst in the bathroom, a severely unwell and scary patient who was meant to have one to one care 24/7 (ie staff should watch her at all times) go into my room, nick clothing then put down a very dirty toilet. Patients sometimes wet themselves while standing in communual areas or leave wet patches on plastic seating. Again, very rarely does a member of staff clean it up. I found myself cleaning a very dirtied toilet using antiseptic wipes so I could use it. Trying to see a ward doctor or psychiatrist is not easy but you at least get 20 mins or so with them usually once a week. The ward could so easily improve the hygiene on the ward and also provide more motivating activities to do during the week/weekend. Sticking stickers on colouring pages is not what I would call Arts and Crafts..which is what you get in an art lesson! There is a large Arts Room that could be used so much better too. Instead of weekend Bingo they could also offer playing cards! DBT was offered finally in my 3rd visit to the hospital - it was good but I noted DBT meetings got cancelled at the last minute if one of the staff leading it was busy. Nature and exercise are key to recovery from mental illness - there is very little focus on either. Nutrician is also key to mental illness recovery and keeping patients weight down (especially if they have developed diabetes from their drugs or are badly overweight). Instead of offering cooked puddings (encouraing more weight gain) more fresh fruit should be offered. The main problem with this hospital is it is hugely under funded is attracting the wrong type of staff for night work and the few good day-time staff/nurses are exhausted from trying to juggle meetings, admin and attending staff. They are totally overstretched.