Should I make a complaint?
 

I'm currently on section 3 and on Wednesday and Friday I managed to get out of the unit. I was reported as missing on both occasions and brought back to the unit by the police. The police asked why I had left and I explained that I'm fed up of being in hospital (18 months) also I said I have to sleep on the sofa because 3 of the women smoke in the dormitary and staff aren't really doing anything about it. I don't smoke so you can imagine it's quite horrible for me having to sleep in a smokey environment. My second issue was this man (55 years old) who follows me about all the time and strokes my hair and asks for kisses. He says he loves me and I'm his favourite girl (he is married). I was in the bathroom the other day and he said make sure you come out indecent. He makes sexual comments continuously. He has been warned by the police already as someone else made a complaint about him.

Last night there was a nurse on who I haven't met before, I was sleeping on the sofa as usual and she came into the lounge and said you're not sleeping there. I kept insisting that I couldn't sleep in the dormitary. The man I mentioned above was standing in the doorway and she said to him whilst I was there that I had made accusations to the police that he had stroked my hair e.t.c Now I think she was totally out of order telling him what I had told the police whilst I was in the room. I don't even think he should have known who made the complaint as now he can make my life a lot worse. He's already told me I'm going to hell.

Should I make a complaint about this nurse or just leave it?

I think you should definitely talk to the ward manager about it. This sort of unprofessionalism is not acceptable and all it seems to have done is make your time on the ward unbearable. You're in there because you need the support to be in better health not to be penalised and treated like a child.

I completely agree with Star Runner.

It's absolutely unacceptable, certainly disclosing the information regarding the police with the other patient. He should of only have been made aware of that if you had asked him too but also in a controlled manner. I had a similar situation and the man did have to be made aware of what I had said but they took him in to a side room and spoke to him, and then protected me with initially 1:1 and then 15 minute observations.

I can see their point about you not sleeping on the sofa however I think it needs to be looked at from them stopping the patients smoking in the dormitory, rather than you being punished for having to escape it.

Isn't it illegal for the patients to be smoking in the dormitary? I can't understand why they're letting it happen, and I completely agree with you that it's a horrible environment. I can't stand cigarette smoke.

And yes I do think you should complain. That they broke confidentiality like that and also about the smoking. xx

I think its not only the nurse that you need to make a complaint about, the whole place sounds quite badly run and unhelpful. Perhaps its time to get PALS involved? I hope you get things sorted as it sounds pretty bad.

Thanks for the replies :)

I think I will definitely make a complaint to the ward manager and if she is no help then I will get PALS involved.

Tig, they haven't protected me from this man at all. Since he found out that I complained he's told me I'm going to hell and saying things to other patients about me to try and get a reaction from me. I've so far kept quiet.

I'd quite happily sleep in the dorm. if it wasn't for them smoking.

Whispered Secret, Yes it is illegal but apparently other than confiscating their cigarettes and lighter there isn't much they can do. However, this doesn't work as they tend to have more than one pouch of tobacco and more than one lighter.

Thanks again for the replies, they are much appreciated.

Is there a more sympathetic Nurse on today who you can talk to about what this man has been saying to you? Don't keep quiet, I know you probably want to after last nights events but it's important you keep talking to them and keep them informed so that if anything happens, they are aware of it and can deal with it.

xxx

this doesnt sound like an environment where you're going to get better, I'm so sorry you're in there,and for so long!

I think she breached confidentiality by telling the man it was you - and by the sounds of it it could have massive detrimental effects on you because he's being out of order to you again and no-one is doing anything about it. Can they not transfer you to another ward?

None of the nurses seem to want to talk to me about it.

I asked on Sunday to either transfer me or him and they said it would be sorted on Monday. Guess what...I'm still waiting, they have done nothing, they didn't even discuss it with me.

Can you ask again? Sometimes in these places you have to be stubbornly persistent. Nurses may not hand over information, it may get lost, or just very busy. The others above me are all right, this doesn't seem like a great place for you at all. And I'm sorry she told him that - that was clearly extremely unprofessional!

I've reminded them several times now but don't seem to be getting anywhere. I will try again today.

I'm sorry they are being so useless about sorting out this situation.

Have you got an advocate?

x

Definately make a complaint as that is a complete breach of your confidentiality.

I would also make a complaint about the smoking as it is illegal and whilst they can only confiscate the lighters etc. they should search the room if it continues

I am sorry you are having such a rough time.
I think you should definitely ask for an advocate. They should be able to help raise issues about the conditions where you are being kept, they are not just there to challenge sections.