I am waiting for a mental health hospital bed...

[Littleyellowbowl]

to become available.

Im going in on a voluntary basis. Its my first time going in for my mental health and im not really sure what to expect? Or if there's anything I should take with me other than the obvious, clothes and wash stuff. Is there anything I really shouldn't take with me?

Im a bit scared but I know its the right thing to do. Hopefully a bed becomes available tomorrow.

Any hand holds or words of advice would be appreciated.

Thank you

Hope you're not waiting too long. Would you like to talk about your condition?

Not personally been in myself but my ds1 has. Take something to do E.g. colouring etc you aren’t allowed anything harp obviously. Magazine or books if you can concentrate on them.some wards don’t have internet some might be best to bring a dongle and make sure your phone has data on it. Avoid taking clothing in with strings in them as they will take them off them. Also buy a short charger you’re often not allowed a normal size one due to risk of people harming themselves. The staff do put your items on charge but obviously it’s a lot easier to have your own rather than keep having to ask. Hope you get a bed soon and it’s a helpful stay.

Sharp*

Take ear plugs. The wards can be really noisy.

Headphones for music. Portable dvd player. Take books and any hobby stuff that you have as days can be long.

Take your own mug ( patients store the ward ones) and sachets of hot chocolate/coffe etc. Diluting juice always good. Snack food also useful.

You should get a key for a wardrobe or set of drawers. Lock up all you can.

Thats really helpful, my friend is now looking for a short charger for me. I have plenty of data and can easily top it up. Most of my entertainment will be my phone. And ill take the string out of my hoodies myself.

I have EUPD and CPTSD, with psychotic episodes, OCD traits, anxiety and depression. Its been building up for a while but its now got to this point where its the best place for me.

Am I allowed to take sweets in?

I think so re sweets. A friend of mine was encouraged to hand his phone in, that may have been drugs rehab not mental health (he's been in both) - so take a stack of books if you aren't supposed to have Kindle / phone.

Hi OP

I was in your position 20 years ago so I don't know how relevant my experiences would be. I'd take a phone/charger, maybe some magazines/books (from my own perspective I needed easy to follow books - no complex storylines), puzzle books if you like that sort of thing, sweets were ok. Plus any herbal tea/coffee if you have a preference. They'll dole out your meds so you shouldn't need to take them in with you.

Good luck. Happy to answer any more questions.

Maybe some slip on shoes / slippers. Laces were removed from my friend. No hoody's with strings.

Depends I guess what they feel your risk level is and that of the other people on the ward.

Flip flops for shower
Hair bobbles
Comfy pyjamas

(just thinking of when I was on maternity ward).

A voluntary admission will give you rest,access to treatment and a cmht referral
Wards can be noisy, and lots of comings & going eg staff changes, new admissions

Useful items
Phone charger
Don’t take anything overly expensive in
Cool,loose clothes as wards are really hot
Take headphones
Moisturiser
Lip balm

You’ll not need money but do take a bank card for contactless payments

If you have specific dietary or cultural, needs let staff know
If there family and friends who visit let them know you’re waiting on a planned admission

You’ll be assigned a named worker who’ll be the primary point of contact
Take in any medications you already have
Do,you have a pet?

Finally good luck in your recovery

Hi OP

I have been in a few times (in fact I made a similarly titled post about waiting for a bed last August!)

I came to highly recommend a short charger that you can keep hold of but see that's already been suggested. Snacks and things to do are good - wards can be really, really boring. I like things to do with my hands so fidget toys, colouring, jigsaws, that kind of thing.

Also if you have one a sleeping mask is a good idea. It is usual for patients to be checked on at least hourly (if not more frequently), which they continue to do during the night by shining a torch on you... So can disrupt sleep a lot.

Hope that a bed comes up soon, the waiting is awful, and any other questions do ask

I haven't been in but my brother has and I visited lots. Don't take anything expensive in (brother got laptop stolen) but take things in to entertain yourself. You'll have the opportunity of participating in talking therapy but also things like craft groups. As you no doubt realise: beds are at a premium and they try to get you out asap. Refuse to leave until you feel safe to do so: you need that bed as much as the next person.

I hope you get a bed soon and the help you need. Take care.

Some MH trusts put their leaflets online, which suggest what to ring, e.g. www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/publication/adult/

*ring=bring

Just wanted to wish you all the best in your recovery.

Yes, same here, take care of yourself and I hope you get lots of support

Refuse to leave until you feel safe to do so: you need that bed as much as the next person.
Sorry but that is really bad advice.And frankly it’s not as simple as that
Not all needs are equal and in absence of knowing op case and the case of a new admission you can’t say their comparable

There is a Huge demand for acute admission beds (that’s why op,is waiting) so any Dc will be based upon ability to go home safely usually with follow up support eg home treatment team

Hi op I used to be a mental health Nurse and worked in acute in patient care ,you might not be allowed your own mug so check with the ward regarding snacks ,we only had limited space to keep patients snacks ,they couldn't keep them in their room so don't bring too much we did do a shop run daily though ,the ward normally supply's tea and coffee regularly which tbh isn't the best quality and also cordials ,so you might want to bring your own I know one of the wards I worked on patients had to hand their phones in overnight ,it was a PICU though ,agree about earplugs they can be quite noisy ,good luck I hope you don't have too wait to long .

A friend of mine has had multiple admissions over the last year. Her packing list includes:

ear plugs
phone charger
snacks
lip balm
favourite soft toy/comforter
comfy clothes and slippers
colouring book, coloured pencils, magazine etc
money/cards for trips to hospital shop
something like hand cream or favourite shower gel to make her feel good

I hope your admission helps and that you get the support you need @littleyellowbowl

Best wishes.

Firstly, I hope you feel better and get the help you need to help you do so.

Sanitary items
Short phone charger
Postcards (I like the colouring in ones as it also gives me some thing to do)
Books
Art / Creative things
Yoga Matt
Puzzle books
Cards
Board game (which I asked to have swapped every so often)

In my experience it's been more helpful to not be reliant on my phone whilst a patient.

Take a few changes of loose, comfy clothes, PJ's, dressing gown and slippers. The ward washing machines can be very basic so try to stick to cotton and fleece.

If you have a brand of washing powder you have to use because of allergies, take that and write your name in marker pen.

Wash things, shampoo, hairbrush, toobrush and toothpaste, sanitary protection.

Something to read, a couple of books, a kindle and charger, headphones, phone and charger (put some credit on now if you can), and some pens. The occupational therapy staff can always get you some puzzles but pens can be like gold dust.

£20 or £30 in small notes and coins if you can. It will go into the ward safe along with your keys and bank card, and you sign it out when you need it.

There's usually a shop and cash point somewhere in or near the hospital, and a coffee shop or machine. If you run out of cash a member of staff should go with you to the cashpoint.

If you cant leave the ward to go top the shop yourself, a member of staff or trusted patient usually do a run once or twice a day.

They may search your bags when you go in as some items will be banned, eg some kinds of footwear such as steel toe caps. They will ask you to hand over all your meds.
Some wards don't allow any glass or china, so if you take your own mug (I recommend it) it needs to be bamboo or melamine.
You can take snacks but you aren't always allowed to have them in your locker, so if you have a cool bag or tupperware put them in that.

There might also be a library, they might come round with a trolley and you can borrow and request books.
If you have any problems then the PALS reps should come round once a week.

Best wishes op

I would check with the unit you are going to regarding rules around shoelaces/chargers etc. I've worked in mental health and these items weren't banned in either of the units I worked in. Likewise snacks and drinks. There is a limit on how much space people can have to store things. We were 2 mins walk from a shop though and all of our informal patients, and most of the sectioned ones went most days to buy treats/cigarettes/magazines.

Nice toiletries. Lip balm. Moisturiser. A book. Coloring stuff. I'd take a yarn and crochet hook if it was me (and if it was allowed).

Good luck. I hope you aren't waiting too long

You’re going in informally so you will get to go out, shops,cafe etc
There will be occupational therapy groups and 1:1 too
Wishing you well, and take care. It’s a bit scary as it’s unknown but you’ll be ok