Mental health inspectors have raised serious concerns over Tippethill House in a worrying new report into the West Lothian hospital. Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland raised a number of issues regarding the Rosebery Wing at the Armadale hospital including overcrowding, staff shortages and the lack of time patients spend with psychiatrists. Five recommendations were made to the hospital, some of which had already been highlighted in a 2015 report. The new report comes weeks after a report into the hospital’s Baille Wing was uncovered, highlighting a serious of staff abuses on the ward. On the issue of overcrowding and staff shortages the commission’s report states: “Of particular concern is that the ward still has eight beds in bay areas, which are only curtained and are situated on the main corridor. “This affords little in the way of privacy and dignity. This leads to the issue that was raised in the last report, in 2015, that it was unusual to have 30 … [Read more...] about Mental health inspectors raise serious concerns about hospital
Mental health
Suffolk patient moved 150 miles to Derbyshire mental health unit following Lark Ward closure
PUBLISHED: 18:39 06 April 2018 | UPDATED: 18:39 06 April 2018 Gemma Mitchell The Woodlands mental health unit in Ipswich, where Lark Ward is based. Picture: LUCY TAYLOR Archant A Suffolk father is facing a six-hour round trip to visit his vulnerable son following the closure of a vital mental health unit in Ipswich. Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) shut Lark Ward at the Woodlands centre today because of severe staff shortages. The number of beds on the ward – Suffolk’s only psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) – had already been reduced from 10 to seven in October because of gaps in the rota. Peter Devlin, NSFT operations director for Suffolk, said the ward would reopen when it was “safe to do so”, but has warned it would be a matter of months. A Stowmarket man whose 20-year-old son is a patient on Lark Ward, based in the grounds of Ipswich Hospital, has spoken to this newspaper anonymously about the family’s experiences. He … [Read more...] about Suffolk patient moved 150 miles to Derbyshire mental health unit following Lark Ward closure
Social worker charged with sexual misconduct at Illinois mental health center
GENEVA, Ill. -- A former social worker at a suburban Chicago mental health center has been charged with sexual misconduct involving a disabled person. Christy Lenhardt formerly worked at the Elgin Mental Health Center. On Thursday, she was arrested and held in lieu of $100,000 bond. The charges against the 53-year-old Lenhardt relate to allegations made in a federal lawsuit filed in November by Ben Hurt, 24, of Aurora. He accuses Lenhardt of making him her sex slave during a nearly three-year relationship. It wasn't immediately known if Lenhardt has a lawyer. According to CBS Chicago, Hurt alleges Lenhardt sent him emails, nude photos and manipulated him into having sex with her. Hurt's parents say Lenhardt made excuses to keep him at the facility even though he was scheduled to be released. Hurt was involuntarily committed for treatment to the Elgin facility in 2014 after he was found not guilty by reason of insanity for felony aggravated battery of an Aurora peace … [Read more...] about Social worker charged with sexual misconduct at Illinois mental health center
Mental health trust service users get creative with a GoGo Hare
PUBLISHED: 12:26 06 April 2018 | UPDATED: 12:26 06 April 2018 Nadene Chandler NSFT Hope the Hare. Photo: NSFT NSFT People in Norfolk facing mental health challenges have been expressing their creativity ahead of the GoGo Hares trail this summer. Service users at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), along with staff on the Rollesby, Waveney, Glaven and Thurne wards at Hellesdon Hospital, have been decorating Hope the Hare as part of the GoGo Create element of the art trail. Hope the Hare is one of the 160 leveret - or baby hare - sculptures being painted by a variety of organisations, schools and clubs across the county. Art psychotherapist Jake Whitbread and senior occupational therapist Debs Agar, who work in NSFT’s central Norfolk acute services, have been working with service users on the project. The service users chose the name and helped to come up with the design. They have been expressing their creativity and supporting … [Read more...] about Mental health trust service users get creative with a GoGo Hare
New mental health service for struggling mums opens in Haywards Heath
Help is now at hand for new mums across Sussex who are experiencing mental health problems. A brand new community-based service will be specifically for mums going through severe difficulties during pregnancy and up to a year after birth.The Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service (SPMHS), located in Haywards Heath, opened on March 14 and the team of professionals will also support expectant mothers in Sussex and East Surrey who are currently well but have experienced mental health difficulties in the past.It is being run by Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and mums who are being supported and NHS staff gathered to celebrate the official launch last month.Anna from Brighton was referred to the service after the birth of her first child.She said: “I do not know what would have happened if the perinatal team hadn’t caught me.“Our baby was premature and I was in hospital for ten days after the birth. “I was beside myself but I was surrounded by skilled … [Read more...] about New mental health service for struggling mums opens in Haywards Heath