"Feedback from Service User - Highbury LIVE Project Patient Council Meeting 27.07.15"

During the patient council meeting we discussed certain topics with patients who were present, what follows is feedback from one individual.

Change machine is a good idea - for coffees - in the hospital. As well as a cash machine.

They (staff) have a problem with me locking my door they say they want it locked all the time. There isn't enough staff to do things patients want, like unlock the doors to their rooms. I understand that if staff are busy that they cant't always be letting me in and out my room. Is there any way that something can be locked in you room as previously I've had lockable cabinets. There should be more trust as staff check your bag and things when you get here. I want to keep my things safe and don't want my room left unlocked.

Badges and uniform of staff are confusing and makes me feel anxious - why can't staff have the same identification in the same place. People walk on the ward and you don't know if they are staff or who's who and what they do.

I was sectioned and now I'm voluntary but the other day someone told me I could only go out for 20 minutes when really I should be able to go out for as long as I like. It was just a mistake but really people shouldn't be making mistakes like that.

On my iPhone I can get a newspaper however there's no wifi so I can't use my phone. My dad has complained about it today. Because I was told only 20 minutes the other day I couldn't access local wifi and I feel extremely cut off from my friends and family. Can we get wifi set up for patients to access.

I was never told about the restaurant. I only found out about it the other day - can there be more information for patients when they arrive, like a walk round the building for induction when they feel well. An information pack is a good idea when it comes out.

I'm on the slimming world diet - what healthy meals are there. Salads and healthy food etc. Could there be more availability and cater for different people on different diets. I wasn't aware you had to pre-order it initially as I was never told this until the other day.

When you're on a section you feel like you are in prison as the only time you can go out is for a cigarette. I have started on e-lites since I've been here. My dad has to charge it and bring it in as we can't plug them in there as they say they blow up.

In new leaf I seen a very helpful lady who helped me give up. Since being here I have started smoking, it's a very stressful environment and all the other patients and staff shouting "smoking break" has made me start. Now I'm addicted again. But at least I'm not smoking, I'm smoking e-lites. E-lites are totally different from smoking. - I don't think e-lites should be banned.

Staffing is a problem as when there is not enough staff they do minimal things for you when they don't have time so you get less done. One day I was stuck on the ward all day, I felt like I was going crazy like a caged animal as no one could escort me. So what's going to happen for people who find it very stressful in hospital, they are surrounded by people who are more ill than them and going through a hard experience so how are they going to cope if they can't smoke.

Wards should be more segregated in a recovery process so the people who are very ill are not mixed as it isn't helpful for everyone else. Acute and recovery wards should be created.

When I first arrived myself and another patient cleaned up the garden area, it was full of leaves, rubbish and fags. Drains are getting blocked with all this rubbish, why is this not been cleaned on a regular basis as it is very unpleasant and patients shouldn't have to do it.