"No communication"

Currently an inpatient on Birch ward and I have to say the communication between staff and between staff and patients is non-existent. Decisions have been made regarding my care plan which have not been discussed with me leading me to feel like a bystander in my own life. The majority of staff treat the place like a holiday park and spend a lot of their time reading the newspaper or playing with their phones when they should be providing support to the patients. When I asked to leave because I do not think the environment is very supportive or right for me I was threatened with the use of the mental health act.

I know enough about mental health services to know that the MHA should not be used to get patients to comply. Since arriving here I feel I have not been listened to and my mood has deteriorated massively. I have been made to feel that although I am an 'informal' patient I have no control of my life and that I am constantly being accused of causing my inconsistent blood results.

I have been a patient on this ward 3 years ago and I thought at that time the service was fantastic but there are so many issues that are unsatisfactory on this admission that I would not recommend this ward to my worst enemy.