"Lack of psychology"

When someone is discharged from Dovedale they are sent an ‘exit questionnaire’ they can complete this in their own time and send it back to the ward. Below is a summary of someone’s responses.

The atmosphere on the ward was often threatening (other in-patients) and traumatising.  It was difficult to be open with the other staff as they wrote everything down so there was no trust.

During my stay I felt like my privacy and dignity was rarely respected and I felt completely unsafe in my surroundings. I didn’t find my experience of being in the MDT / Ward round very useful and although I met my named nurse I don’t think I got enough information about the ward or given a copy of my care plan or the necessary information about my medication. I didn’t get to see the Doctor regularly enough either and I didn’t have confidence in the staff that worked with me. I did however, know the arrangements for my follow-up care.

I didn’t think there were useful activities on the ward and so I didn’t feel able to participate in the activities on the ward and I don’t feel that I was offered occupational therapy regularly. There are hours and hours and days and days with nothing to do, no therapy, no confidential conversations. The “activities” are of a consistently low standard and too short.

If I can think of two things that can be improved on the ward it would be the following:

1. The food

2. The psychological therapy from a psychologist not a nurse or even just a ” support” worker