i've been in an adolescent unit, adult (both pretty briefly) and a therapeutic community, not sure if you're gonna be in child or adult so i'll answer both from my experience.
1. What are the sleeping arrangements like??
In adolescent I had my own room, it was horrible for others though because some people were like three to one bedroom (not that big rooms) but they've changed it now so everyone has their own room.
In adult I was in a four-bed dorm, with curtains around beds. The ward was split into one corridor male, one female. Males weren't allowed down the female side. People on a section usually had their own room, especially if they were on obs. The dorm was fine, though.
2. What are eating arrangements like??
In adolescent we all had to sit in the dining room, people with EDs had a member of staff on their table, staff ate with patients. We weren't allowed to leave the table until everyone had finished (except go to the loo I think, as long as not bulimic!) but nobody tried to make themselves sick at the table. Food wasn't that great, brought in from the main hospital and heated up in packets in a big microwave.
In adult I think we could eat where we wanted but there was a dining room. People with acute mental illnesses/psychosis can be a bit messy eaters though :S Food was okay for us, prepared in the hospital kitchen, though salads for dinner were boo.
3. What therapy will i receive?
None in either, really. In adolescent there was a school, and I think some occupational groups were being planned, there was also a psychiatrist who asked stuff and we had key/co-workers who we talked to. I wasn't there long enough to really have any therapy arranged.
In adult, people generally didn't have therapy. It was all medication or one-to-ones with nurses, plus ward-round once or twice a week. We could use the day services if we weren't on sections/ward-based.
4. What would you advice i take with me?
I got my bags checked in adolescent but not adult. Adolescent didn't allow plastic bags, belts, razors, medications, even lavender oil I think!
In adult they weren't bothered with most of us.
5. Will i be allowed to lock the toilet door? will a nurse really have to watch me whilst i poo?
I'm proud to say I've never been watched whilst I've pooed. It happens if you're on high obs, so try not to be! I locked the toilet door always, but if you do something concerning in there (are there for a long time or they're worried) they can unlock the doors from the outside with a special key - but I imagine they'd knock first.
6. What about visitors? will my friends be allowed to come and see me??
We had visiting times at certain times on adolescent, and also on adult (it was pretty free on adult, I think mealtimes and 10am - 12pm were protected. Also, on both units we were allowed to go out with our parents/visitors. Actually, on adult, if we weren't sectioned, we were usually allowed out when we wanted anyway. Friends were allowed too, but usually children/under 18s need to be risk-assessed before they go onto the psychiatric units (if they are not patients) so if you want a child visitor, discuss it with staff.
|