AIBU to ask to stay in London for treatment?

[Rebecca496]

Hi all,

I am currently at the A and E department in the Crisis Assessment Unit at a London hospital due to why mental health. I have been feeling a little overwhelmed over the last few days.

The plan is to keep me here over the weekend until a bed in an in-patient ward becomes available in my home county in the midlands, where I would be admitted as an informal (voluntary) patient.

I would be transferred back to my local NHS Trust by paramedics and accompanied for the journey from this London hospital back to the midlands in-patient hospital - possibly on Monday.

The doctor in charge here said that it is not possible to be admitted in London as my GP Surgery and Postcode is not from here, and there is certain politics about NHS Trusts and hospital admissions being expensive and things like that.

I am a little worried about being admitted in my local county, as worried that the treatment would not be good there and that I would be going back to the situation that I was getting away from.

Is there any way that I could be admitted in London to an in-patient mental health ward? Can I plead with the doctors to keep me here?

I was thinking of asking my MP to get in touch with Rishi Sunak to ask if he could allow me to be admitted here in London, as the facilities are better here and I feel safer in London.

Huw Edwards was recently admitted to an in-patient psychiatric hospital in London and I would feel safer being treated in an environment where Huw was treated.

Is there any way that I can be treated here in London, as I would feel safer here. I do not want to be transferred back to the midlands with paramedics, and would prefer to be treated in London as this is where Huw Edwards was treated.

The doctor did say that the wards would be louder here in London which may not be good for me (as I am a very quiet person) but I don't mind this as I would rather be treated in London.

I am being observed here at all times. There are more facilities here than there would be in my local hospital, such as shops that the nurse could accompany me to.

Please can you ask me how I can plea to ask to be treated in London? I DO NOT want to be transferred back to the midlands for an in-patient mental health bed, I would like to remain as a voluntary (informal) patient in London.

AIBU to ask to stay in London, and can a bed be found for me here and how can I get one? I do not fee safe returning to the midlands at the moment. I do not live in London normally though.

I don't know, but write the note to start the conversation.

Not just the bed, that is for psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses etc
Most people had it covered by private medical insurance.

I asked the nurse but I don't think she understands. She says something like "I don't think it is allowed" and that "dinner is coming soon".

I am here as an informal patient, so surely I would be able to go to get some hot food?

I want to get a McDonalds as I am craving hot food. I am an INFORMAL patient.

I was held in cmht patient room waiting for bed. I was supposed to go voluntarily to the hospital but they didn't let me go anywhere. I was brought sandwiches to eat.

Why was that though? If you were voluntary then surely you could leave to get food?

What would happen if you challenged them? Or complained?

They may not let you go out if they are worried about your safety. I was an informal patient but was sectioned when I wanted to go home. So best to go along with the rules for the moment OP. Dinner is going to be served there soon anyway.

I think they would have sectioned me if I would have tried to go. It was very serious situation. I wasn't hungry though so no need to go anywhere.

They said I can't go due to "hospital protocol". I don't understand. But they have assessed me as a voluntary patient.

They will have decided it's not safe for you. But you should hopefully get a hot meal shortly.

So is it best not to insist? If I did, would that mean they would basically section me? I do not want this.

He said if I can order food to the hospital I can get it. Does that mean I can order McDonalds to the hospital?

I think he means deliveroo etc, so yes.

I have had the hospital food but am still hungry .

Yes NHS care is £7000 a week. Hence why there are so few beds.

It's not 'a bed'. It's the person watching you. All the paperwork and hierarchy of staff.

That's why private medical insurance is so £££

If the staff are happy for that, yes you can. Deliveroo deliver to the main entrance of my hospital. We go and collect it from there. The staff will not do this for you.

That is absolutely ridiculous. I mean, there is a person in the room with me at all times but I am just quiet and not saying or doing anything. No wonder the NHS is in constant crisis if a care costs that much. I don't get it all really.

Will I be allowed, as a patient, to collect it from the main entrance?

You'll have to ask the staff looking after you.

Turtle - what does being sectioned mean? Does this show on your medical record?

Also, do you have to declare being sectioned to employers?

The cost is not just for that one person who is with you now, though - it is for all the other people involved in your care, including the various doctors, nursing staff, the people who clean the room, the catering staff and the cost of feeding you, the energy bills to run the building, the pharmacists who handle the medication you’re prescribed, occupational therapists and anyone else needed to provide or facilitate your care.

I don’t believe you. You knew what being sectioned was before. I hope you are not taking the piss out of a difficult situation for some people.

I agree