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sherlock holmes · 16-12-2008, 11:36 PM

Most psychiatric hospitals now have an outside smoking area. Something like 80-90% of inpatients smoke so they know it's very important. In all of the hospitals I've been in, I've always been able to smoke.

As to whether you get your own room or have to share, it pretty much depends on the layout of the hospital. My old psych hosp had a dorm for about twelve patients and two single rooms, but they've recently rebuilt the hospital and all of the rooms are single and en suite.

Eating is pretty much the same everywhere, you are expected to eat with everyone else in the dining room. But I would imagine if you have issues over food, they might be able to work something out or help you at mealtimes but they will be pretty limited with what they can do.

You wont be forced into doing anything, but the occupational therapy groups are good to go to just to stop yourself getting so bored because there is nothing else to do. Most of the groups are arts and crafts based so there's not much socialising.

If you go in voluntarily you can discharge yourself. A doctor will still have to discharge you (so you can't walk out at 3am). If whilst you are in hospital it becomes evident you are suicidal or are going to harm yourself on discharge and you are threatening to leave, they can section you to stop you leaving for your own safety.

There are different types of sections lasting different amounts of time. If you threaten to leave and a doctor isn't there, a nurse can section you for a couple of hours until a doctor can assess you. A doctor can put you on a section two which will keep you in hospital for 28 days for assessment. He can then transfer the section to a section three, or place you on a section three outright, which lasts for six months and is for treatment, in which case they can give you medication or other treatment without your consent. If you were to be sectioned, you would be told about it and explained what your rights were, and you could appeal the section or a doctor can rescind the section at any time.

I hope I haven't scared you by mentioning sections, they really are a last resort and they don't like doing it. The best way to not get sectioned is if you want to leave and the doctor says he'd like you to stay, then stay.

I've been in and out of hospital for two years with numerous admissions and have only been sectioned once.

16-12-2008, 11:36 PM	#10
sherlock holmes do you like my potato? Join Date: Mar 2004	Most psychiatric hospitals now have an outside smoking area. Something like 80-90% of inpatients smoke so they know it's very important. In all of the hospitals I've been in, I've always been able to smoke. As to whether you get your own room or have to share, it pretty much depends on the layout of the hospital. My old psych hosp had a dorm for about twelve patients and two single rooms, but they've recently rebuilt the hospital and all of the rooms are single and en suite. Eating is pretty much the same everywhere, you are expected to eat with everyone else in the dining room. But I would imagine if you have issues over food, they might be able to work something out or help you at mealtimes but they will be pretty limited with what they can do. You wont be forced into doing anything, but the occupational therapy groups are good to go to just to stop yourself getting so bored because there is nothing else to do. Most of the groups are arts and crafts based so there's not much socialising. If you go in voluntarily you can discharge yourself. A doctor will still have to discharge you (so you can't walk out at 3am). If whilst you are in hospital it becomes evident you are suicidal or are going to harm yourself on discharge and you are threatening to leave, they can section you to stop you leaving for your own safety. There are different types of sections lasting different amounts of time. If you threaten to leave and a doctor isn't there, a nurse can section you for a couple of hours until a doctor can assess you. A doctor can put you on a section two which will keep you in hospital for 28 days for assessment. He can then transfer the section to a section three, or place you on a section three outright, which lasts for six months and is for treatment, in which case they can give you medication or other treatment without your consent. If you were to be sectioned, you would be told about it and explained what your rights were, and you could appeal the section or a doctor can rescind the section at any time. I hope I haven't scared you by mentioning sections, they really are a last resort and they don't like doing it. The best way to not get sectioned is if you want to leave and the doctor says he'd like you to stay, then stay. I've been in and out of hospital for two years with numerous admissions and have only been sectioned once.
	Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different… you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.