The Priory

[Orchidlie22]

My partner has just been admitted due to poor mental health.

Does anyone have any experience with this please and offer any advice?

I think you need to say a little more (whilst respecting your partner's privacy). I knew someone who spent time in one branch of The Priory a few years ago, but they have many branches and there are lots of reasons why someone might need to pay a patient. So everyone's experience is clearly different.

Is it a private ward or an NHS one at the Priory OP and what is his MH problem? ie addiction, ED, anxiety, depression, psychosis.

Which one?

I was a day patient at one of the Priorys about 10 years ago.

have they been admitted as an NHS patient or privately?

the food is good! 🤷‍♀️

Private admission for depression.

not keen to say which one I’m sorry.

what would a typical day look like?

Probably varies by location, but at the one I went to for depression there were group therapy sessions during the day. We saw our psychiatrist at least twice a week and had a 1-1 therapy session once a week. The food was good and the therapists were lovely. The nurses weren’t very helpful but not unkind just indifferent. I wish I hadn’t been so unwell when I was there as I didn’t make the best use of the therapy sessions.

Thank you @Aeroyum

My partner is very unwell and we feel this is the last hope as exhausted all other options.

No idea how long he’ll be there for. All seems v surreal but his illness has taken him away from me now for months.

Yes, my best friend spent a month there an as inpatient. Lots of activities and therapy offered, unlike NHS places.
She had to leave when her insurance ran out.

I hope your DP finds it helpful

It must be a very worrying time for you. The good thing is that they will keep him safe in there if he is feeling suicidal and they can monitor and adjust any medication prescribed. There was a lovely supportive atmosphere with the other patients too which really helped.
If he is being funded by private medical insurance then there will probably be a limit on how many days are covered by that. Mine was 28 days per year.

Funded through private medical insurance.

Could I visit do you know?

Yes, you can visit. It is best to let him settle for a bit first.

Yes, you can visit whenever you like but evenings and weekends are best when there isn’t much happening therapy-wise. He will be able to go out as well if he is judged safe to do so.

Hope you are ok OP. You can ring the nurses on the ward to get an update and to see how he is settling in. Remember that this is private treatment so the staff have more time to speak to patients and their families.

I was a day patient at the priory and, honestly, it was life changing. I’ve been well ever since (but medicated which is fine). I had suicidal ideation with several plans when I started there and really couldn’t imagine being well again but I, and almost everyone I was in treatment with, made a full recovery.

I say “almost” because there is always one or two who have a personality disorder or continue with their harmful drug taking. Actually even the guy with a personality disorder made a recovery.

Initially, he will have solo therapy sessions for assessments etc and then join the group therapies. There are different types of group therapy and he will get some choice on the groups he wants to join.

They don’t “mix” the groups so he won’t be in therapy with the addiction people (that’s not to say there won’t be people in the group that don’t have issues in that area but it won’t be their primary need)

the food is good but the addiction table are really grumpy and stare at us crossly. Us depressives laugh all through lunch!

The private section is apparently similar to a luxury hotel. I know one person who was there but they were coerced into going there so didn't have a good experience.

I'd imagine they structure their day with therapy sessions and activities. And will try out medication to see what works.

I'm presuming he's allowed visitors?

I've only ever known psych ward in NHS hospital which is basic AF.

Thank you all.

I feel like I’ve totally lost him and not just because he’s in the priory. The last few months our relationship has become nothing because he’s been so unwell. I know it’s selfish but can’t help feel that way.

Going to the Priory is a massive positive step though so hopefully he will get back to his normal character as he starts to feel better. Do you know how long a stay is covered by his insurance? Even when he leaves the inpatient stay, the priory will be able to arrange ongoing support with therapy.
Have you had a chance to speak to the ward to see how he is settling in?

Sorry for the late reply.

He is there for 14 days initially, can extend another 14 days if needed.

Things seem to be going ok for him.

I’ve not spoken to the ward as he’s communicating well with me.

Not sure if I should visit or not?

Just seen from your other posts that you have only been together for a few months so that is completely different to if you had been together for years and just had a few bad months due to his MH.

Ask him. Is he up for a visit? Be led by him.

But don't be upset if he is not right now. I know when I have been admitted to hospital, I don't want to see anyone for a while. A mixture of being ill, and also shame at the situation. You feel vulnerable when in hospital, and not wanting people to see you like that.