Following an 8 week stay on ward B2 I felt thoroughly ready to commit suicide. Having been admitted with a psychosis due to lack of slept I left feeling dejected, degraded and utterly depressed. I felt that staff were corrupt and offered patients extra cigarette breaks in exchange for dishonourable 'favours'.
I went without medication frequently as it 'wasn't ordered' whilst on another occasion was given antipsychotic medication I was not prescribed. Fortunately I spotted the mistake, whether deliberate or not, and it had to be recorded as a drug error. I was given a depot injection so high in my gluteus it hit the nerves in my lower back muscles giving me pain for 4 days on lying down. Nutrition came in the form of aeroplane style tray food in a segregated dining room with meals on wheels.
There is no social inclusion and when I asked to go to the hospital canteen where all the staff and 'physical' patients and carers go I was told by canteen staff I could but not to 'disturb' the general public.
Confidentiality is non-existent on the ward and I frequently heard staff discussing other patient's business with other patients or in front of other patients. There was violence, a complete disregard for how women might feel on a mixed ward with nowhere to go away from the men (men were allowed to use the only ladies lounge). Staff mocked patients openly whilst bragging about their credentials as forensic mental health workers.
I felt this was a trip to the dark ages of mental health care and one I don't wish to repeat. I'd give recommendations to improve this unit but the only conclusion I can draw based on my experience is to shut it down and use other facilities.
"My experience of Ward B2"
About: Bassetlaw Hospital / Ward B2 Bassetlaw Hospital Ward B2 S81 0BD
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