When my daughter was first admitted to this so called top leading hospital she had a letter from Professor Robin Murray who clearly stated she would get a drug free period of assessment.   The next thing I knew she was offered Clozapine by two members of staff and she flatly refused.  She was then put on Olanzapine and this was mixed with Seroquel and she said “I do not know what tablets to take Mum”.  I was in despair as there is no way I would have wanted her to go to this hospital if I had known they were going to do this.  I thought this was a leading hospital where she would get the very best of care.  That is not true at all.  Mixing two drugs together like this throws someone off balance and then came the sanctions –  first of all Section 2 and then I was going to be take to court to force me into agreeing to Section 3 – I received call after call whilst at work harrassing me on this stating they would replace me as nearest relative but the person they wanted to replace me with – her father is swamped with the care of his elderly parents right now and so hardly visits.  This is what they want no doubt.   I visit Elizabeth every weekend and she is very unhappy there on this dreadful ward in this awful hospital that I can only describe as hell on earth.  They are solely interested in research from what it would appear and whilst they do all the tests they seem just keen to try out different drugs and use patients against their wishes as human guinea pigs.  This is what is going on under SLAM –  Royal Bethlem Hospital National Psychosis Unit.   Unfortunately my daughter is not in a good place right now and I am desperate to get her out.  I have got research papers by Prof Taylor about “reasons for discontinuing Clozapine and other research papers I have obtained.  I am so concerned because today I was only allowed 1 hr escorted leave and this was all the fresh air she got in the grounds outside that awful ward.   Patients are wandering up and down with nothing to do on the wards.  Staff seem to go off sick quite often.  On the boards are outings supposed to be scheduled at the weekends but nothing is going on because a member of staff is off sick so I understand. 

I took with me a picnic to have outside and all the time a member of staff was watching.   Elizabeth has texted me to say “Get me out of here” the other day.  I am so sorry she is there in that dreadful place. 

I cannot say all the staff are bad – there are some nice nurses but this Consultant Psychiatrist has gone against my daughter’s wishes.  He has failed to provide proof of diagnosis – failed to respect the advice of Prof Murray that she should have a drug free assessment.   Some of the nurses are loyal to this doctor like the one who rings me up every week to talk about nothing much.  You get no information, you are excluded as a parent and treated like nothing.    I am so unhappy about the situation I want to have her home now but will need to take a solicitor with me because I feel this is the only way to deal with this situation now. 

Tonight I went to my carers group – they had a nice do on  All the time though my thoughts were with Elizabeth.  She is only 25 and her life has been ruined on all these drugs and running with me caused her heart beat to be irregular and a doctor was called and that prompted me to demand to know the  medication because all the time I have been trying to find out what the new drug was and now I know  they have finally got her on Clozapine and that was their intention all along.

Here is the link to look at the research papers:  http://bjp.rcpsych.org/ on June 23 2012 .

Before going in to this ward Elizabeth had signed documents to say she wanted no further experimentation done and especially was against Clozapine.  I just do not know how any of the staff can do their jobs in light of this abuse and plan to go out of my way to hopefully  get recognition of this abuse and support but I am just a mother – it would be great isf someone well known got involved in this and noone seems interested or cares about the plight of the mentally ill and the horror of the abuse going on in these dreadful places by these psychiatrists who refuse to give you any kind of evidence as to proof of diagnosis or they come between you and the person you have cared for.

All I want is to have Elizabeth home now because of this dreadful situation and Professor Robin Murray must do something about this situation.  He is the one who gave her hope and we believed that she would be getting the best care at a leading hospital –  I truly thought this was a wonderful place that could help her but now I know the reality – it is the worst place  or one of the worst places on earth where they do not care about a patient’s wishes or feelings – they just use them to experiment on like human guinea pigs and it is in the court papers that these psychiatrist can within the law do whatever they wish and it is no wonder they can smile –  and when someone dies – these people do not always have the support of their families –  there are hardly any visitors to this dreadful ward and that is what they want.   I have still not had an explanation of why her face was covered in bruises –  the ward manager saw her and could not see 1 bruise but when I went to pick h er up she was covered in them all over her face.  Even if there is an innocent explanation to this – why keep it a secret? 

It is just so bad what is going on and this is just one hospital –  there is terrible things going on all over the country and soon there will be the Olympics.  To think Elizabeth who once was a very good runner could barely summon up the energy to do anything today and felt constantly dizzy.    

I am so disgusted at what this awful hospital is doing to my daughter.

The psychiatrists can smile – it is not the first time I have seen this behaviour because they think they are above the law and can do what they like.   However the more they abuse a patient and take away their rights especially when others object like I do then things can come back – for instance the hospital has a good reputation worldwide but this is silly – ridiculous placing a sanction on someone to visit for 1 – 2 hours and this is continuing.  Depriving the patient of fresh air, depriving the ward of a member of staff.   What is this man afraid of – he seems paranoid himself!   What does he think I as a mother am going to do?  All I want is to take my daughter out shopping like before to the wonderful shopping centre nearby and to a nearby town but what can you do in 1 – 2 hours.    I am hoping to do some running tomorrow so I hope the staff are fit as they will have to run to catch up with us and Elizabeth is a very very good runner and was training for Special Olympics and this helped me get up to standard for a bleep test as they had England Atheletes involved.  In addition to this, Elizabeth also went to a local running team.  She was very very good at this sport.   In addition I used to take Elizabeth out swimming – not once has she been taken to the hospital’s swimming pool.    Anyway I hope it is a good day tomorrow for my planned run around the grounds of the hospital.  I am also going to look for zumba teachers as  I am enjoying these classes and I do not see why they cannot be held outside so that all the patients can join in.   Anyway they have places where they can accommodate this and I intend to look into this very thoroughly.  Noone has got  back to me about my suggestion.  Noone has got  back to me with a definite OK for the  meeting next Friday when of course Rethink the advocates will attend so that was what we agreed and it is down to Rethink – REthink sounded bemused by the whole saga.     They denied this was their decision and I told them how the Consultant Psychiatrist would not allow my daughter to get a word in edgeways.  She is more than capableof saying no to me – why cant they understand this.  They must be petrified or rather he must be!  Loyal members of the team have I suppose to stick by him or else they could lose their jobs.   I am sure the world must  be laughing at this hospital because for one they have no grounds to ban me –  I have offered to give every reference including that from the police.  Secondly, she is not violent or a risk to anyone –   when I asked what the reason was I got no answer and the lead nurse was struggling with her comments.  So I asked for it in writing.  I have an ongoing complaint and have been asked not to send any more emails – how funny – if only I could get some answers to one of my complaints  – that would be nice.  Elizabeth told me of a meeting she had today and was told of a rehab place which is miles and miles from home.  I want her to make a fresh start and thanks to my website this has brought me into contact with so very many people from all over the country and world.   I am shocked at the extent of the abuse going on and believe everyone should speak out.  I have been invited to a convention and am seriously thinking of going as there are good speakers there.  I am so unhappy about Elizabeth being in that place that is like a prison camp and patients do not get enough fresh air and it is disgusting there is nothing to do at weekends for them.   There should be plenty to do and outings and the community hall is empty – What is going on!   Where is everyone at the weekend when they are needed to organise some nice activities for the patients and take them out.  How on earth can you get better like this.   In contrast there are places abroad like in Finland Tornio where they offer unique care and also Earth House where they call patients students.  I like this.  I like the fact the patients are respected and listened to.     I like some of the staff on the ward – they are not all bad –  there are some very good staff like the social worker, one or two nurses – of course there are some that are extremely rude and one complained about my phone calls – I have every right to phone and I in turn complained about the length of time it took to answer my call that day because everyone was in meetings.  This is NOT GOOD ENOUGH.    I am pleased if they move her –  the rest of the family will not be happy if it is that far a distance –  However I would send her to Earth House if only I could – she once wanted to go to the States  I really like the sound of thiat place.  Elizabeth needs to be listened to and it is horrific what is going on here – I am the one who listens to her whereas the staff do NOT otherwise they would not be plying her with drug after drug after drug – she still does not know what tablet she is taking.    Tomorrow evening  I am going to my carers group for a buffet they are organising.  On Sunday, as I have made myself known to local churches in the area and hope to take Elizabeth along to meet everyone.  Maybe these people can visit on the ward and I would be more than happy to pay for someone to take her off this place of horror and into the fresh air.  I would pay someone to do this.    I would even consider having her home because I am so shocked – shocked that this psychiatrist has ignored a leading professor and I want this professor to call on his contacts like he said he had.  There seems to be NO contacts there at this hospital as all they want to do is push drugs and experiment on patients.  This is NOT what my daughter was promised or what should be intended.    Like I say I hope the staff are fit!  I intend to run with Elizabeth all around the grounds as I need to get my standards up if I am to run the bleep test again.  I found it very good running outside and training with the personal trainers at my gym – Elizabeth was a great help and she knows the technique of running.   It will do h er good as well as being couped up on a stuffy ward and not encouraged to do much exercise is a disgrace.   

It is late now but I feel compelled to write a short blog as I have had another wonderful email from a former patient of the Royal Bethlem Hospital and his most shocking account of the abuse he encountered.  It is absolutely horrific and I cannot bear to think of my daughter in there right now.

I will be looking at this You Tube channel by LG tomorrow but I recommend everyone looks at this –  If there were lot of people like LG willing to speak out it is the patients or former patients the newspapers are interested in hearing from apparently.  If only people like LG were involved in a project like I have seen in America called EArth House.

This week I h ad a call from one of the head people of community mental health services who said the funding was coming to an end at Royal Bethlem.  She is well aware that this hospital have not done things properly but my daughter is on Section 3 and wrongly so as she is not violent or any risk to anyone.  So they are willing to consider one or two places I had in mind before out of the local area which I have not yet named.   However she also wanted the flat cleared in two weeks and I have no idea where to put all the furniture and things and need someone to help me so the first week I cannot do anything at all.

Anyway I spoke to Elizabeth briefly to say I had got a cd in London she wanted but it was a  brief conversation and I will visit as usual at the weekend.

Today also I had my weekly slot for a phone call which h as been going on for a while.  Whislt the Consultant Psychiatrist hides himself away this lead nurse has to take all the flack in his notable absence.  I obviously was not happy as it was just a chat – nothing more-  she did not divulge any information and still the sanctions apply for me to have only escorted leave which is disgusting.  This deprives Elizabeth of fresh air and already short staffed a member has to come with me off the ward.  

As it was discussed that everything is down to Rethink and not down the Consultant Psychiatrist well I had to ask Rethink to ensure they be present for a meeting in a week’s time.  Of course Rethink denied this and so this statement made in front of a friend of mine was no doubt an attempt by the Consultant Psychiatrist to divert from what is the truth ie he is saying REthink advise him and he has to consdier this before divulging information.  He had a chance to tell Elizabeth what tablet she was on and now I am more than ever determined to find out even if I have to appoint myself solicitors.  She has a right to know and does not even know to this day what he has put her on.  How disgusting is this!

Anyway did not think the phone call went well and I got accused of being threatening but if only the staff could try and put themselves in your shoes.  I do not want just a friendly chat but to be included and to be listened to and consdiered but none of this is going on at the Maudsley, Royal Bethlem.  You get no information and they play on the fact that a vulnerable patient does not want you to have sight of records or any information.  THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE LIE AS I OBTAINED MORE THAN 1 LETTER OF CONSENT AND THIS IS NOT SUFFICIENT.   MOST OF ALL I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT TABLET IS.   SO THE LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH TRUST HAVE SEEN AND RECOGNISED THAT THIS LEADING HOSPITAL HAVE NOT DONE THINGS PROPERLY – PROVIDED THIS CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST DOES NOT MESS AROUND FURTHER WITH THE DRUGS CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO SUFFER PSYCHOSIS THEN I HOPE SHE WILL BE MOVED SOMEWHERE THAT IS MUCH NICER THAN A HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT WITH PROPER SUPPORT IN PLACE. 

The email was so informative – it is very brave to speak out about such things when you have suffered tremendously.

I HOPE THAT THE ROYAL BETHLEM IMPROVES AND STARTS TO CONSIDER THE PATIENTS AND CARERS AND NOT JUST PLY SOMEONE WITH DRUGS AS THEY HAVE BEEN DOING.  I WOULD LIKE TO SEE TREMENDOUS CHANGES.

I am shocked and horrified at the way patients are treated at a so called top level specialised hospital where the current psychiatrist believes in starting afresh and they have put her on a tablet she does not even know what it is and now to top it all at local level the funding has ended and they want to end the tenancy where I have not been able to pick up her possessions over the past months whilst the local council have been paying around £800 a week so I believe.  I do not know where to put things and have just 2 weeks and my car has been written off – although I have another car I have not yet got insurance as this has been pushed up sky high due to the what had happened when I put my car in for the keys to be sorted out and they brought it back in a state where it would not even start!  Now I have been offered £50.

This is nothing though to the treatment of both mental health services locally and at the Royal Bethlem.

The newspapers should feature this but many of them seem afraid and I am shocked at just how widespread this awful treatment of mental health patients is.

I am thrilled to be in touch with some other wonderful sites that also highlight the abuse which shockingly is a nationwide problem.

I turned up around 2 pm on the ward.  It was a beautiful day today but the patients were stuck indoors.  The staff were busy typing on their computers and I asked to take Elizabeth off the ward but was told I should return sharply.   They were apparently short staffed.  Well I took her out for a meal with this member of staff tagging along and a longstanding family friend.  Elizabeth was very quiet throughout this time but at least she got to go out as yesterday she had no fresh air whatsoever and the ward is stuffy and there is nothing to do but watch TV or aimlessly walk up and down.  Of course the Wii games could not be used as an electrician was needed. 

Anyway in between time I did a lot of writing as I believe this is punishment dished out to me personally as I have quite rightly so been outspoken.  There is no way my daughter should be punished by this Consultant Psychiatrist or be drugged up to her neck on a tablet she does not even know.   I AM INVOLVING RETHINK IN THIS AS HE SAID RETHINK ARE THE ONES WHO TELL HIM IT IS AGAINST MY DAUGHTER’S WISHES TO SHARE INFORMATION IN THE FILES.    ANYWAY I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE ROYAL BETHLEM HOSPITAL.  It is not the fault of the nurses however there is something wrong with this Consultant Psychiatrist himself in my opinion – what is in his head to do this when there is no excuse for this behaviour.  It is childish and spiteful and it is against human rights.  I NOW WANT EVERY INSPECTOR DOWN TO THAT WARD AS THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOUR SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.

All I have done is give brilliant information on how harmful the drugs are for a start as naturally I want the  minimal of medication and she was promised a drug free period and I want some answers here as to why this has not been done.

Whether he likes it or not I am still the nearest relative and as the nearest relative I have a right to know if something has happened to my daughter and an explanation.   I intend to keep visiting every single week so that I can keep an eye on matters.  I insist that Elizabeth comes off the ward to get some fresh air and she is MORE THAN ENTITLED.   THIS IS ABSOLUTE ABUSE IN MY OPINION.

Not allowed to take Elizabeth off the ward between 1 – 2 and this must be escorted as ordered by the Consultant Psychiatrist.

I hereby invite this Consultant Psychiatrist to give his reasons WHY to the world.   I have nothing to hide.  I have had every security test done.  I am of no risk to my daughter.  She is of NO risk to the public –  it is causing problems on the ward when a member of staff has to be there to accompany and I go at the weekends.   It is staff changeover between 1 – 2 so noone is available to accompany me.   I am being treated like a criminal yet was training to be a police officer.  I am now thinking of volunteering for the local police as I feel so sorry for the patients being couped up on such wards and treated like nothing.  The nursing staff are not to blame –  this is the fault of the person in charge – the Consultant Psychiatrist and I would welcome him speaking to all the newspapers and media on why he thinks I should be escorted everywhere with my own daughter and why he is depriving her of fresh air.  IT IS EXTREMELY SPITEFUL to do such a thing.   The staff have to obey his orders no doubt and I have heard there is staff absences causing things to be put on hold such as the weekend outings.    Maybe if I am allowed to volunteer at local level with the police then something can be done for these poor patients couped up on such a ward like a prison camp with nothing to do at weekends and can only go out when staff are available.   WHAT KIND OF CARE IS THIS.

I have had to reschedule the day to turn up later in the afternoon to coincide with when staff are available to escort me as I cannot be trusted apparently.

This professional is no doubt enjoying the company of his family yet he is trying to tear apart mine and I have nothing to hide – in fact I would welcome his comments to the world.  I would welcome the world to judge me in turn.

I would say that the reason this is happening is because I have been outspoken in terms of what I see as abuse going on – care should not be all about drugs and a patient should be listened to and not forced to take drugs against their wishes.   Orthomolecular care should be given if needed as an alternative and this does not mean just COMING OFF MEDICATION.  This means being on the minimal rather than the maximum of drugs and this doctor has put my daughter on a drug and refuses to let her speak at the recent meeting even when I offered to go out of the room.  She is none the wiser as to what tablet he has given her.   SHE COULD DIE AS A RESULT OF THE HIGH AMOUNT OF DRUGS GIVEN AND I WANT EVERYONE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.

I agree with everything you have said in your recent comment.

Funnily enough my daughter perceptively commented that she thought the consultant psychiatrist was “on something”.    He must be very paranoid in order to only allow 1 hour escorted leave.   Thanks to me attending the meeting with a longstanding family friend this escorted leave has been extended to 2 hours but on the Friday probably because of how busy they were a member of staff was only able to come out for 1.5 hrs.  

Today I typed the minutes of the meeting to ensure that the team got a very accurate copy seeing as I never get a copy of their minutes and the excuse by the consultant psychiatrist is that he wants to concentrate on the care.  Well where is he most of the time?  He is not watching my daughter on a day to day basis.  When I have asked to speak to him he is never around.    This Consultant Psychiatrist wants to “start afresh”.  I have commented in my minutes that this is WRONG – TOTALLY WRONG.   In order to come up with any diagnosis I believe that you need to look thoroughly at what has happened in the past.  All he keeps going on about is how did she do at school.  I have commented in the minutes that this is ridiculous!!   The change in behaviour backed by the close family friend who has known Elizabeth a long time points to when she took herself off 30mg of Cipralix.   She had been on this terrible drug for a while and it brought her face up in loads of sores and led to itchiness.   It was around this time and whilst taking this drug that the whole family noticed a huge change in her.    Thanks to reading the book Prozac Pandora Panacea I now recognise what the initial cause of this behaviour was down to.   I now know how very dangerous these drugs are and I wish so much that I had done all this research from the beginning.  The change in behaviour unfortunately led her being referred to mental health services and I put my trust in these professionals but little did I know at the time that all they did was just push drug after drug after drug.  This is the treatment in their eyes and it is a highly profitable treatment for the pharmaceutical industry. 

I went to visit Elizabeth today and she looked very forlorn.   I believe this Consultant Psychiatrist is using my daughter to get back at me and I h ave mentioned this in the minutes.   He has put full emphasis on REthink by saying he goes by what they recommend or words to that effect.  Now it is down to Rethink as the Consultant Psychiatrist would not give any information even when I offered to leave the room as to what tablet he has given m y daughter.  I believe this is in breach of human rights – she has a right to know and I think he does not want me or the rest of the family to know and is worried about what she might say.   This is why I have to be escorted everywhere like a small child with my own daughter.   WHAT KIND OF CARE IS THIS – WHAT KIND OF TREATMENT IS THIS?   THIS IS NOT KIND OR NICE TREATMENT TO KEEP SOMEONE STUCK ON THE WARD WHEN IT IS NICE OUTSIDE AND DEPRIVE HER FROM GETTING FRESH AIR.  ELIZABETH HAS NOT BEEN OUT AT ALL TODAY.  WHILST HE IS ENJOYING TIME WITH HIS FAMILY ELIZABETH IS STUCK ON THE WARD WITH NOTHING MUCH TO DO.

Today I took the Wii and games to the ward for the patients but apparently an electrician has to test everything and i was told not to leave anything there on the ward as staff would be told off.   THIS IS WORSE THAN BEING AT SCHOOL IN MY OPINION.  I AM SHOCKED THAT THIS CAN GO ON IN A CIVILISED COUNTRY IN THIS DAY AND AGE.

Anyway I handed in the Minutes and there were so many people there at the meeting I could not remember everyone – how daunting this must be to my daughter especially when no advocate is there half the time as recommended in NICE guidelines.   It is no wonder she does not like Fridays.  

Anyway seeing as the Consultant Psychiatrist stubbornly refused to give ANY information on what drug she is on and also how long he is going to impose sanctions like 1 or 2 hours only escorted leave.  I have told him in the Minutes I am reconsidering a voluntary role with the Police again in the Kent area as I feel sorry for the staff in this situation as they are already short staffed as it is and the whole thing is both childish and immature on his part and abuse to my daughter.  WHAT RIGHT DOES HE HAVE TO PREVENT ME FROM TAKING HER TO SHOPPING OR CINEMA OR ANYWHERE ELSE THAT TAKES LONGER THAN JUST 2 HOURS WHEN THERE IS NOTHING TO DO ON THE WARD FOR A START.  IT IS NOT AS IF MY VISIT IS CLASHING WITH ANYTHING GOING ON THERE ON THE WARD.  HE IS LAYING DOWN THE LAW IN SUCH A WAY THAT HE IS ABUSING ELIZABETH’S HUMAN RIGHTS AND WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PATIENTS – WHAT ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AS WELL.

IT IS NOT AS THOUGH ELIZABETH IS OF ANY DANGER WHATSOEVER TO ANYONE AND NOW I TAKE THE VIEW THAT IF THE WHOLE TEAM LOYALLY AGREE WITH THIS DECISION THEY ARE ALL AS BAD AS ONE ANOTHER.  IT TAKES SOMEONE DECENT TO STAND UP TO THIS KIND OF ABUSE AND NOT JUST GO ALONG LIKE A BUNCH OF SHEEP AND BOW DOWN TO DEMANDS LIKE THIS. 

ANYWAY I HAVE SAID I WANT TO TAKE ELIZABETH OUT TOMORROW AND OF COURSE IT HAS TO BE ARRANGED THAT A MEMBER OF STAFF COMES WITH SO THAT THIS MEMBER OF STAFF CAN REPORT BACK TO THIS CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST EVERYTHING.  HOW RIDICULOUS THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS JUST BECAUSE HE DOES NOT LIKE ME.  HE DOES NOT LIKE THE WAY I HAVE CHALLENGED HIS IDEAS.  FOR INSTANCE I TOLD  HIM HE WAS DOING WRONG BY TAKING HER OFF AS MUCH AS 150 MG AND I TOLD HIM IT SHOULD BE DONE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS WITH MINISCULE AMOUNTS TAKEN OFF.  HE HAS NOT LISTENED TO THIS ADVICE AND I PROVIDED A CD AND BOOK WHICH I DOUBT HE COULD BE BOTHERED TO READ.

I HAVE LEFT HIM THE NEW BOOK BY PROFESSOR HEALY CALLED PHARMAGEDDON. 

NOW HE WILL NOT BUDGE ON THE 2 HOURS ESCORTED LEAVE I DOUBT UNTIL THE NEXT MEETING BUT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GO FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND I AM USING ALL MY HOLIDAY ON GOING TO THESE MEETINGS THAT ACHIEVE NOTHING.

SO IT IS ALL DOWN TO RETHINK AND HE WOULD NOT EVEN LET ELIZABETH SPEAK AT THE MEETING AS WHEN I ASKED HER WHAT SHE WANTED HE BUTTED IN!

IT IS RUDE AND DISGRACEFUL TO DO THIS.

The main issues I have are:

Medication

Time allowed off the ward at weekends

The threatening phone calls which I today reported to Police and showed them my phone – the fact her scheme is left open as though they plan to dump her back there in the circumstances and I have asked for assurances on this as the public have a right to know what is going on in the local area as far as I am concerned.

I have not had any answers to these points and now IT IS ALL DOWN TO RETHINK SO THIS CONSULTANT PSYCHIATRIST SAYS AS HE GOES BY THEIR ADVICE AND HE IS DESPERATE THAT I DO NOT SEE THE FILES.   NO DOUBT MY NAME IS LIKE MUD IN THEM BUT I DO NOT CARE PERSONALLY WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT ME.  I JUST WANT THE ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS ABOVE AND AM ENTITLED TO BE INCLUDED ACCORDING TO NICE GUIDELINES.         

I attended the weekly ward meeting today with a close family friend but gained no further information from the Consultant Psychiatrist and team.  It was a waste of time.

Elizabeth said she was told she could only come off the ward escorted for just 1 hour a day.

When I went in with the close family friend I was told 2 hours.  Anyway that is an improvement I suppose but I am not allowed to take her out alone – I have had every security check done on me and I believe this is an infringement of my daughter’s human rights.   Whilst she is on Section 3 which was forced upon me otherwise I would have lost recognition as being nearest relative,   my daughter is of no danger to the public whatsoever and is couped up on the ward for most of the time.  She has ballooned in weight since being put on Olanzapine and has been given a new tablet and does not even know what it is – this is terrible that a patient is not even informed and is so drugged up to their necks they are completely disregarded.    It was Elizabeth’s wish to be reduced off medication but that is not to say completely taken off.  She signed a declaration before coming to this ward and had a letter in writing from Professor Murray promising a drug free period.  He now is no longer anything to do with the unit where my daughter is and all the promises have come to nothing.  So, my daughter is looking pale and bloated and has put on tremendous weight.  She is on about her 14th mind altering LSD like drug and is being manipulated as I see it.   Rethink are the advocates and were nowhere to be seen at this meeting.  It is recommended by NICE guidelines that advocates are present but the Consultant Psychiatrist was keen to say that they have been involved and have visited Elizabeth on her own and they have informed him that she does not want the family to see her files and in other words know what is going on.  Elizabeth was in the meeting and when I put the question to her the consultant psychiatrist butted in and did not allow her to speak. I then offered to go out as if she did not want me personally to see the files then the rest of the family should be allowed to have information –  she after all signed several letters before she was drugged up like this and in a better way to allow the family to see what was going on but this is being denied and I believe that she has been so weakened by the powers of this consultant psychiatrist that she simply does not have any rights any more.   HER RIGHTS ARE BEING ABUSED AND I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF WHETHER RETHINK VISIT THAT OFTEN AND BESIDES MY DAUGHTER LOVED COMING OFF THE WARD AND GOING TO THE LOCAL SHOPPING CENTRES, BEING OUT IN THE FRESH AIR – GETTING OFF THE WARD WHERE SHE FINDS IT STRESSFUL.   SHE DID SAY SHE FELT VERY TIRED AND IF SHE HAS BEEN PUT ON AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF DRUGS – THE MOST HAS BEEN 800MG THEN IT IS NO WONDER WHY SHE IS TIRED AND LETHARGIC BUT NOONE KNOWS WHAT DRUG SHE IS ON – SHE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE METHADONE.

Anyway I typed a list of questions and got no answers about the medication whatsoever and Elizabeth sat there quietly throughout the meeting and was NOT allowed to speak when I tried to include her.  An advocate must be present and the friend of mine suggested that another meeting was called with the advocate present to satisfy the Consultant Psychiatrist that it was what Elizabeth wanted.   He was adamant that Elizabeth had said she did not want the family to see the files AND THIS IS NOT TRUE AS SHE SIGNED MORE THAN ONE LETTER OF CONSENT IN THIS RESPECT BEFORE SHE WAS SO DRUGGED UP TO HER NECK ON GOD KNOWS WHAT!