NHS Medical Services in London

Reviews

1. Laura Copeland ★★☆☆☆

   I have now been discharged from mental health services but have been admitted to NCfMH on several occasions - voluntarily as well as under the Mental Health Act. The care I received over that time varied. There were some fantastic members of staff who genuinely cared (Emma on Sapphire Ward), Ewa (CRT) and Dr. Dougall. However, other members of staff seemed to enjoy the power they had over patients, and didn’t listen to concerns. I was once prescribed medication by Dr. Babalola - it was a new medication to me and I wanted to know more about side effects. He refused to tell me any information because he doesn’t “agree” with doing so, meaning I was unable to obtain informed consent. This is wrong as antipsychotics are such strong medications and always come with side effects. On Sapphire Ward, I was forcibly given Quetiapine despite me telling staff I had allergic reactions/adverse effects from it. Taking it would mean a spike in my heartrate, palpitations, dizziness etc. I wasn’t listened to and forcibly made to take it but then was restrained and given more medication after that because I was scared to take it. On one occasion in the 136 Suite I was being restrained for my own safety. This I now understand was needed, but not to the level it was. I was shouting because a male member of staff was bending my fingers on my right hand back so tight, I thought he was going to break a finger. Despite shouting for him to stop as I was in pain, the grip on me tightened. This is an experience that has stayed with me. There needs to be some trauma-informed care in situations such as this. I’ve unfortunately experienced sexual assault by a group of men, and to have four men sat on top of you bending your fingers so much you’re in pain, well, it took me right back to this original experience. During another admission on Sapphire Ward, I was forced to go to the local shop and buy my own toilet paper. I had been asking for toilet paper most of the day but wasn’t provided with any. I was on my period. It was the same admission where I had no water in my bathroom and couldn’t shower, wash or brush my teeth. My periods are heavy and I was told to wash with a cotton pad. That’s great, but where did they expect me to get water from? There were times we had to eat cereal with forks too. Yet again on Sapphire Ward, I had some of my belongings stolen (despite being kept in the nurse’s office), and was attacked by another patient to the point where my face was bleeding. There are other hospitals out there with more compassionate staff, and I vow to never return here. Staff need training on how to communicate with patients. I received nasty remarks from one nurse, her name was Bucky, about my weight. I’m no longer overweight but gained weight due to medication and her first words to me were, “what happened to you?” Surely, she should know antipsychotic medications causes weight gain and shouldn’t be making comments like these. East London NHS Foundation Trust is an awful trust, they aren’t competent in communication and aside from a few staff members, aren’t able to treat people with compassion. Appointment letters from CRT would never arrive, or not on time at least, and my care coordinator during that period (Lawrence - who I never even got to meet), would call me telling me to “come now”. What did he think I was? A dog? Because that’s how I was spoken to by him.

   almost 8 months ago
2. maria sousa ★☆☆☆☆

   My 18 years old son was admitted in this hospital since wednesday morning without his or my consent. His GP agreed for my son to stop his medication a few months ago, because he feels better without it, and instead more social prescribing. But his father was influencing the mental health professionals in forcing my son on medication. My son is very calm boy I'm the nearest relative and the primary carer. This past Friday i booked a visit for yesterday to see my son, then when i arrived at the Ruby ward, the staff didn't allow me to visit my son. They allow his father, that my son doesn't want him involved in his care. They said that in the ward round was decide for me to not visit my son. Some of the staff was rude. I ask to put in writting with valid reasons, but they refuse. They said they will do it on Monday. I have no updates regarding my son since been here, and My son said was feeling better at home. They been giving already medication, and making my son worse. What are my son and the nearest rights? Who can feel better in this hospital! I miss my son, this environment is bad for mental health!

   almost 9 months ago
3. Zu Ri ★★★☆☆

   The first woman that spoke to me seemed very condescending. At first, i thought she was just doing her job, getting me to elaborate on my feelings and impulses. But it ended up feeling like she was cornering me and talking to me as if I was stupid, saying stuff like “oh but why would you want to do that, you know that’s very unhealthy hmm” and it just felt very patronising, especially since she was doing that after every statement I made, and I felt like she wasn’t taking me seriously. I told her I wanted to switch to another member and said I felt like she’s double-guessing me. She got her colleague to me and said “Oh since I’m double guessing you, now my colleague will speak to you.” And that just felt so rude and unprofessional and I don’t think a mental health professional should be putting shade on their patients. However, the second team member that did the assessment was far better with de-escalating and I felt like I was actually being listened to.

   almost 9 months ago

1. Ami Ndow ★☆☆☆☆

   They are abusive and held down a female minor naked for no reason while grown men was looking at her, drag her across floors! I have know this girl for years and she has never ever fought back from a restraint unless its necessary like her being naked. Its horrible and needs to be investigated.

   almost 11 months ago
2. Suri Tescher ★★☆☆☆

   I've come in to Ivory ward (female ward) thinking I was gonna get the help I need but the consultant Dr John Iyiola should not be there. At first I was hoping and thinking he would listen and understand the circumstances I was in but now I know it all went into one ear and out the other. Another thing he likes doing is labeling people as if they're objects. Though the nurses are nice but I was there for just a short period. I must point out to two nurses who have been awesomely great and understanding - Nelson and Irena. Thank you to you two, you made me feel a bit like my voice was being heard. I'm sorry to say but NHS sucks with helping people with mental health. Sarah T

   1 year ago
3. Sketchar BLK ★★★★★

   Long struggle but out of it too. Good local people helping me keep on the straight and narrow onwards and upwards as they say food could be better though

   almost 3 years ago

1. soundbombing ★☆☆☆☆

   ELFT as a trust is not one of the better ones, and unfortunately staff at NCfMH tend to leave a lot to be desired. Several are borderline thuggish and can be VERY heavy handed when dealing with patients who they perceive to be "disrespecting" them. Violence is alarmingly common on the wards and not all of it is necessarily an unavoidable consequence of mental illness either. I wouldn't trust the news about violence levels going down - I strongly suspect some of these statistics have been creatively produced (most likely after bosses started putting pressure on ward managers) After years of experience with this facility, I would have to say NCfMH is sadly overall not an appropriate environment for vulnerable mentally ill people and is only getting worse. If you are unfortunate enough to have a relative or loved one staying at this facility, I would strongly recommend daily visits to ensure you yourself can be monitoring their health and wellbeing ELFT as an organisation has an immediately apparent hierarchical culture, which is very visible within the workplace, and staff are regularly reminded of their place within the pyramid by those "above" them. the end result of this culture, is that it sadly trickles down to the service users who are seen as bottom of the totem pole and are therefore fair game for mistreatment at the hands of the registered nurses and "social therapists" (which is the pretentious term ELFT has decided to give to healthcare assistants/HCAs) My advice to ELFT would be to do away with all the meaningless tick-box exercises and work on your recruitment/vetting process instead (the group interviews are NOT helping)

   almost 3 years ago
2. 1 Love ★☆☆☆☆

   A staff called Elizabeth on ivory ward is such a horrible woman she’s the reason I ran away from the ward. I was vomiting violently and asked for help she ignored me… ran away I was found by some random and they took me to A+E and I was on drip for two days and given so many medication…. True true I was. Sick just imagine if I didn’t run away ??? The world is cold now not all staff care about patients. God bless Kingsley who was a male senior nurse on ivory ward… he was so so helpful and calm and always listened.

   almost 3 years ago
3. Proph ★☆☆☆☆

   Its the No support for me Staff just sit on their phone all day in the office and chat chat chat. A couple of rude staff. No support at all they dump you in here and your mental health gets worse and worse. I was also told by Staff I'm attention seeking because I was upset. This place will only make you worse and not better

   almost 3 years ago

1. Shantel Elvin ★☆☆☆☆

   They do not help you at all with meeting your needs, they have very bad attitude and also judge patients, they gave myself and other patients mouldy bread gone off milk and also pink chicken. I've had racist and abusive comments made to me and staff do nothing and laugh. The water tank has a rotten smell to it when they have a fresh clean water tank in the staff kitchen. They are mostly on their phone doing nothing. I ask the doctor for BP tablets when my BP is high all the time they won't give that to me. I also have vitamin D deficiency and they say I haven't I've been asking for blood tests they won't give me a blood test. Another patient went into my room and recked it and staff said she's very unwell but that still don't give her the right to damage my property. They don't give us therapy or make you feel better in your self or no activities. They are racist against white people as I ordered an African meal and they say to me why are you eating that you're not black please anyone I do not suggest ivory ward Newham center for mental health as it makes your mental health worse and you come out of there traumatised.

   almost 3 years ago

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