"the worst place imaginable. (knole ward)"

As a patient who has spent over a month here (in knole ward)

I cannot describe just how appalling their care is. I arrived at 11pm and after 4 hours of waiting in a little room I was finally let to the ward by a rude nurse and put in to my room at the end of the corridor. each child's room was locked and had at least one or two people sitting outside acting like guards. the first night all I could here was screams and the panic alarm going off constantly. for hours I was given no attention just locked in my room till the morning came and once again no staff showed me around or bothered talking to me. I was eventually lured out of my room by the patients them self, all of who were very understanding and nice to me ( by the end of my stay all the patients were like family because we were all in the same boat trapped in that horrible place)

I was given no treatment whatsoever in my 5+ week stay. I managed to get 2half hour meetings with a therapist where we went through questioners. and the staff on the ward were horrible to all of the patients to a point where it was just abusive! even though some of us were there voluntarily we would be restrained to the point where we had bruises and fighting between staff and patients was regular. I was rarely allowed to call my family, perhaps every couple of days I could have a quick conversations with them where I would urge them to call the police and get me out of there.

with in my first few hours I was forced to take so much needless medication which had very bad physical and mental side affects. many patients were up to 17 pills a day. the staff refused to tell my parents what medication I was taking so we were completely powerless. the staff do not care about our health whatsoever, there had been times where my friends were attempting suicide in their room and the staff wouldn't do anything about it. patients were sometimes forcibly injected with drugs if they were to stand up to abusive staff or got even the littlest bit 'out of control'. on one occasion I tried to escape and managed to get as far as the reception (and despite being informal) I was grabbed by a large group of men 5+ men who were staff of the adult criminal ward upstairs. I cant begin to fully describe how horrific my experience was there. and it wasn't just me. All of those patients have been through similar things and despise that ward and those staff.

whilst there you and your child will have no rights whatsoever. despite what the website says you will struggle to speak to your child, see your child, or speak to nurses of therapist about your child's welfare.

Please, for the sake of your own child's mental and physical health do not let your child be admitted into that ward. There are many other wards which have a much better service which I first handedly have experienced. I urge you to look elsewhere if you are in need of an inpatient service.