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Care Opinion

Lack of support

Posted By BPD

"Lack of support"

About: West London NHS Trust

(as a service user),

I experienced a total lack of support whilst at the Cassel Hospital, senior staff admitting the Hospital was understaffed and patients would need to consider a different approach to help with the shortfall in staff regarding support, I was left with medication in my possession that I had reported to staff on admission to the mental health unit. three times I reminded staff that it had not been taken to the pharmacy later leading to a near fatal overdose.

Staff appeared to admit that they had failed me, one of many failings when a doctor asks if I was going to self harm and my reply was yes, and no further action was taken regarding my safety I found myself in A&E majors after a near fatal overdose, meds not removed from my room.  I found this to be a very dangerous place for any mental health sufferer. I had to leave the hospital as I had no support regarding my suicidal tendencies and was likely to commit suicide.

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Responses

Response from Amanda MacKenzie, Senior Nurse, West London NHS Trust 6 years ago
Amanda MacKenzie
Senior Nurse,
West London NHS Trust

Submitted on 19/09/2017 at 16:47
Published on Care Opinion on 20/09/2017 at 13:43

Dear BPD

We are extremely sorry that this has been your experience whilst an inpatient at the Cassel Hospital and that it is your belief that the Cassel is a dangerous place for individuals suffering with mental health problems

The Cassel Hospital is a Tier 4 NHS E commissioned Specialist service. The hospital does differ from other Tier 4 mental Health units as we only admit patients on a voluntary basis, this happens following an extensive assessment process. The model at the Cassel has evolved over many decades and is based on the principles of a Therapeutic community; there is extensive evidence available to support this approach.

The central aspect of the Cassel model, and culture is relational in nature. It therefore relies on both staff and patients working together through open and honest relationships, building trust, in order that risks can be managed safely without restrictions in an open environment. There are a number of formal structures in place which support this approach, however another vital aspect of this treatment is patient-led through learning, supporting each other, upholding the boundaries, expectations and shared values of the community.

We would like to unreservedly apologise for the fact that your medication was not managed in line with our own requirements. We are extremely sorry that this was the case. We do indeed have nursing vacancies at present and are working hard to recruit to these posts. In order to manage the shortfalls we do use regular Bank staff who are familiar with the Cassel at the agreed nurse staffing levels.

We do acknowledge that the approach at the Cassel may not work for everyone referred. Whilst we do have a robust assessment process on occasion patients do enter treatment and conclude that this approach does not meet their expectations and cannot accommodate their needs. On these occasions we do strive to understand what happened, how we might do things differently and identify any shortfalls through formal processes. I can confirm that this process is currently underway.

We would like to thank you for your honest feedback and we hope that our response is helpful.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by BPD (a service user)

The response to my story was less than adequate as was my care. I think that because of your failings I nearly died in this hospital.

Please refer back to your senior staff comments that I was a valued member of the community and working well with the Psychologist, I embraced the therapy approach. However I feel its the failings of the nursing staff who have direct contact with vulnerable patients and are placing them at risk.

Please read your own web site statement Re -Psychosocial nursing and I suggest carry out an audit as to whether this is being delivered.

You state that the assessment process was developed over decades and a process that I went through and was deemed suitable as I was invited to attend the hospital, again highlighting that the issue is with the nursing staff!!!!!!

You also raise the point about Trust, after being let down so many times by nursing staff I had very little trust. I understand fully the patient led treatment, again this point was abused in my experience as the hospital is understaffed as you have stated, therefore creating a dangerous environment for patients who in my experience were self harming at an alarming rate, receiving in my own personal experience a dangerous standard of care. Your response is idealised and does not reflect the day to day care and support of patients.

You explain extensively the Cassel model and the approach of the hospitals therapy and how many decades this approach has taken to perfect and how it is a commissioned specialist service you paint a wonderful picture, then washing over the fundamental facts that the hospital is understaffed and that I has failed in my care and then you continue as if I found the experience to be unsuitable or did not suit my expectations as though it was my fault the process failed!! I was taking full advantage of the therapy and the community and benefitting from the experience as stated by senior staff in a recorded management meeting.

I personally believe with your response you are not addressing the serious failings of the Cassel nursing staff and putting patients at risk, it has happened to me and I am not alone in this experience

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