"Mental Health Horror!"

Where do you treat patients displaying violent behaviour ? Terrifying experience visiting 93yr mum at Scarborough Hospital. Mum was admitted with breathing difficulties already suffering from high anxiety. On arrival we followed a trail of blood into the ward, to the bed next to mums! There we were greeted by a 17? year old girl kicking off BIG style - yelling, cursing at the top her voice about her missing phone.

Shouting that she needed her shoes, screaming to go home, swearing to go outside to smoke. The girl had ripped out her Cannula, destroyed her bedding and had attempted to get out, hence the blood trail. It was apparent that the girl had Mental Health / Learning Disability issues and was totally out of control.

Nursing and attending staff attempted to calm her down but it was clear from the outset that they did not have the skills to deal with this confrontational behaviour. Staff gave the girl instructions, ultimatums, none of which were followed through with consequences of not complying. The girl pushed her way past staff then attempted to smash the windows, 2 security guards were called. They ' two man' lifted her as she kicked and screamed back to mums ward throwing her into her armchair telling her to stay seated. A pointless listing her misdemeanours followed as she continued to curse, yell and scream her demands. To our dismay the guards moved away into the corridor leaving us and the 5 other patients at the mercy of this girls ' Mental Storm '. The guards gave her a ' New Audience' and the space to continue her destruction - bagging her bed, throwing her mattress across the ward, then back to the corridor confronting the staff and guards once again. These antics continued over and over belongings thrown-guards, water thrown - guards, drawers thrown - guards.

At NO time did any of the staff come to check on the well being of the other patients.

The effect of this horrific episode caused extreme anxiety, fear and distress on the ward. Mum was terrified!

Things went from bad to worse, meaningless ultimatums, not followed through, no checking of understanding, no consequences stated " NO you can't go back down the corridor"

No! No! No! then

OK - GO! No risk assessment of surroundings made. The girl was VERY aware of her surroundings! Pushing past staff and guards she went straight for the China Trolley, laden with dirty teatime crockery, which she launched to great effect across the corridor. Maximum impact, EVERONE'S attention! At this point she was locked into a side room destroying and yelling all the way.

Enter the POLICE who arrested her.

WE were traumatized by this incident. What of the SICK ladies on the Acute Medical Ward? We still cannot believe what we witnessed in a NHS Hospital but where else could this girl go?

How was this allowed to happen? Is PRISON the only alternative?

Safeguarding? Danger to Self and Others? Health and Safety?

Amazingly staff said this girl is a REGULAR at Scarborough Hospital