"Opal Ward - Spring 2017"

Our elderly friend was admitted on Section 2 after a rapid decline in cognitive functioning in a very sad state. Staff have remained calm, friendly and treated her with dignity despite her generally unreasonable and challenging behaviour towards them and have appeared to listen to her and respect her wishes.

The Ward itself and the facilities are much nicer than we had expected and maintained beautifully and our friend constantly compliments the food offered to them- saying it is like a hotel.

Initially it was not easy either to pass on or get information from staff and it seems sometimes communication between staff was not always what it could be. We do understand that they are extremely busy and that as non-relatives they must respect confidentiality, but as there are no relatives for our friend it seemed important that those who know and care about her could be involved.

However this has gradually improved now that the initial Section has terminated and been escalated to a Section 3.

Overall a very good standard and greatly improved on my memories of services twenty years ago.