Inpatient Treatment UK

[Emily_Numb]

This is for members who are in the UK as our system works a bit different here.

Have you ever been a voluntary in patient? I know it's possibly but they just complain there are never enough beds and the only real way to get a bed though the NHS is to be sectioned

Has anyone paid privately/self funded for inpatient treatment at a private hospital like The Priory? How was your experience?

I know I need to be in inpatient, even if it's just for a couple of weeks to get my head together. I am terrified that if I'm out in the real world I am going to continue this spiral I'm on and end up dead.

 

[Deleted member 19654]

Sorry I don't have first hand experience of being in inpatient treatment myself. I don't know if you've tried this already but you need to be referred by a GP in order to be a voluntary inpatient on the NHS. In terms of the bed shortages, it probably depends on where you live.

 

[Emily_Numb]

Sorry I don't have first hand experience of being in inpatient treatment myself. I don't know if you've tried this already but you need to be referred by a GP in order to be a voluntary inpatient on the NHS. In terms of the bed shortages, it probably depends on where you live.

Yes, I know how it works. I have a private psychiatrist that can refer me too.

 

[DyingAlf]

I have been a voluntary inpatient in the UK, on NHS wards.

First couple of times it was because they were threatening to section me so I offered to go voluntary (less restrictive & can usually get out sooner).

Also I asked to be admitted a couple of times & one of those times I did get admitted (unusual because as you said...lack of available beds).

I will never go again.
I found the NHS wards incredibly traumatic (all 3 different ones I've been admitted to).
A few of the staff were lovely, most were nasty &/or uninterested &/or lazy. I was never protected from other patients, & was assaulted verbally and even once physically (admittedly minor). *edit: I'm quiet & avoid conflict & mostly keep to myself - I don't go around winding people up or anything so it not that I was "asking for it" in any way*
The lack of funding is obvious & results in understaffing & lack of therapy/activities.

If you can afford to go to a private facility such as the Priory I would recommend that you do so. I have no personal experience of any private facility & have heard mixed reviews about some of them but overall they sound better, safer & more helpful than the NHS wards that I have been on.

I noticed maxtothemax said that you need to be referred by your GP & I'm going to assume that has been their experience in whichever part of the UK they are from but where I live it's strictly though A&E only. But of course you have your private psychiatrist which will probably be the best way around any rules wherever you live.

I hope you get the help that you're looking for.

 

[Deleted member 19654]

My experience with NHS inpatient isn't first hand but I was friends with someone who has been to an inpatient hospital twice mainly for their eating disorder. The first time it didn't take long to find a free bed in the local area but the second time, it took a lot longer and eventually they were sent to a hospital that was hours away where she was isolated from friends and family. It's true that there is a lack of funding for the NHS and so the services may be lacking compared to what a private hospital may give you but it can vary. My friend had a better experience at the second hospital. The first place she went to, she said it felt like the staff didn't care or were too busy with other patients. The hospital food was bad which made it harder for an ED patient. Overall it was a stressful time for her. With going private, you're also able to choose which facility you want to go to and possibly check reviews. You don't get much choice on the NHS.

 

[Morphosis]

I was admitted as a voluntary patient via A&E a few months ago. It was my first involvement wiith mental health services of any kind. They initially were just going to send me back home due to lack of beds, said patients were sleeping on mattresses on the floor and they couldn't justify giving me a bed when I wasn't psychotic or delusional. In other words I just wasn't quite crazy enough.
I thought I may as well be honest with them, said I didn't regret attempting suicide, I only regretted that it hadn't worked, and I was going to keep trying until something DID work.
30 minutes later a hospital bed materialised.

 

[Cherrypea]

I've been looking at the Priory, it presents itself well on the website and kind of tempting to take myself away from everything for a while. On the other hand though I have to many responsibilities to take myself away which is why I'm still sodding alive.

 

[So-lowgid]

I've been 3 times as a voluntary admission. The first time which was truly voluntary I asked to go home (it scared the shit out of me) and was allowed to within 48 hours. The other two times were to avoid the section which they were about to slap me with & getting back out was an issue to say the least! The 3rd stay was over 6 months and I'd decided I'd "like" to go home within a couple of weeks... NHS mh wards are not a place of respite or even recovery imho, if you can get private care it's gotta be a better option.

 

[Emily_Numb]

I've been 3 times as a voluntary admission. The first time which was truly voluntary I asked to go home (it scared the shit out of me) and was allowed to within 48 hours. The other two times were to avoid the section which they were about to slap me with & getting back out was an issue to say the least! The 3rd stay was over 6 months and I'd decided I'd "like" to go home within a couple of weeks... NHS mh wards are not a place of respite or even recovery imho, if you can get private care it's gotta be a better option.

Was this self funded?! 6 months?! Can I ask how much this cost? Maybe a daily rate?

 

[Deleted member 22624]

This is for members who are in the UK as our system works a bit different here.

Have you ever been a voluntary in patient? I know it's possibly but they just complain there are never enough beds and the only real way to get a bed though the NHS is to be sectioned

Has anyone paid privately/self funded for inpatient treatment at a private hospital like The Priory? How was your experience?

I know I need to be in inpatient, even if it's just for a couple of weeks to get my head together. I am terrified that if I'm out in the real world I am going to continue this spiral I'm on and end up dead.

Priory was awesome. Until my dad's medical insurance no longer covered me when I hit 25. Right now I'd avoid NHS hospitals like the plague. Awful, awful, awful. I'll lie through the back of my teeth to avoid another stay. They'll admit you voluntarily if they think you absolutely will attempt in hours or days, but otherwise no spaces, especially right now with the spiralling MH crisis and covid. But if you then try to leave they'll threaten to section you. I came out worse than I went in, every time! Useless. They just save their own arses, that's all it's good for now. But being female, there's a much higher chance they'll label you as attention seeking and not let you in. They now employ the very cheapest staff going, and as few as possible, and it shows.

 

[Emily_Numb]

Priory was awesome. Until my dad's medical insurance no longer covered me when I hit 25. Right now I'd avoid NHS hospitals like the plague. Awful, awful, awful. I'll lie through the back of my teeth to avoid another stay. They'll admit you voluntarily if they think you absolutely will attempt in hours or days, but otherwise no spaces, especially right now with the spiralling MH crisis and covid. But if you then try to leave they'll threaten to section you. I came out worse than I went in, every time! Useless. They just save their own arses, that's all it's good for now. But being female, there's a much higher chance they'll label you as attention seeking and not let you in. They now employ the very cheapest staff going, and as few as possible, and it shows.

The Priory closest to my home is £937 a night for the bed. I also need a pre consultation which is £350. I have been trying to get sense out of them on email as to what the hidden charges are. Is that £937 for an expensive full board hotel or does it include therapy and psychiatry. I have absolutely zero intention of attending an NHS inpatient place as I know people who have gone in and come out far worse than when they began. It's not a place for care, it's basically a prison.