"Hospital Feedback"

I attended with a complex (and life threatening) mix of mental health & physical health problems. The disparity in level of care given to myself & other patients was stark. I was told that no pillows or blankets were available on the ward yet all other patients were provided with these. Despite having diagnosed psychotic illness I was told that 'mental problems' are lifestyle choices and a drain on the NHS. When I protested and quoted NICE guidelines I was told that these were my opinion and that the individual doctor had his own! (Perhaps the findings of the Francis report could be looked at) Despite the ward being segregated into male & female bays, there were no clear visiting hours and both male & female visitors were present throughout the day and night (2 adults plus a child accompanied a lady on admission at 3am!) The toilet facilities in the bay were shared with these visitors of the opposite sex. I noticed there were constantly bed pans of urine left on the floor in the shower area with patients names written on them & what looked like liquid bowel contents left in a bed pan on the floor overnight. I felt that my mental health problem made me a bottom priority at all times & emotional distress was treated as source of amusement. This treatment of mental health & distress seemed so institutionalised at the hospital that it seemed completely 'normal' and acceptable.