Prudhoe Hospital, Northumbria... anyone any experience?

[shazian]

DS age 11 has been referred to Prudhoe. He has severe autism, GDD, SPD, low muscle tone, pica. He hasnt been in school for over 6 months now due to severe distress and seems to be very unwell at times. He screams/crys every day sometimes all day long. Pinches his arms/legs, bites himself rubs his head to point of making it bald in patches. He currently attends yorkhill hospital glasgow, every day mon to fri, and they think he has catatonia in autism also tourettes movement tics. Due to his severe learning disability and non communication they are finding it difficult to get to bottom of problems so have therefore referred him to prudhoe due to the fact they deal with kids with severe learning disabilities. Just wondered if anyone had any experience, and how their dc got on there. Thanks

Shazian I don't know anything about this hospital but I thought I'd just say that my Ds with very different needs spent a long time in a specialist hospital a long way from home a little while ago. Although it was difficult having him away from home (and I have to say he was quite distressed at first) and we had to do a lot of juggling child care for DD and DH's work etc., it was really worthwhile as he improved massively with the treatment there. I hope this admission really helps your Ds as you and he have really been through the mill. BTW our SS gave us direct payments to help with some of the costs of travel. Don't know if it is worth exploring for you. Anyway all the best!

Thanks NoHaudin makes me feel better knowing there is a huge chance it will make a lot of difference to ds. The hospital feel as though he does have catatonia and tourettes but want him to be inpatient so they can observe his behaviours, see the leg movements etc. They are quite sure they can help with his huge sensory issues and communication too, so im quite positive will be for the best. As you say will be a struggle because also have another 2 ds and we are only allowed to stay for first few days to settle him in then go down on weekends when he is not coming home. This is going to be very difficult to leave him and same as your ds im sure he will be extremely distressed. Great to hear from someone who has been in similar situation. He has pre admission meeting 15 June so will think of and take note of everything i need to ask :)

Hi there I am there on Wednesday for pre admission visit and it's the not knowing that's doing my head in, we have been waiting for over a few months for a bed for my son who has asd ADHD and touretts he has major sensory issues self stimulating for no reason and also a medication review from my understanding it is only one of 2 hospitals in the country that deal with children with autism they have a good reputation and I hope on Wednesday we have a date for admission which is looking like June I hope someone on here may read your post and give a positive outlook as I have never spoke to a parent of a child who has been there x

Hi Mrsronaldo1 my camhs psychologist is getting me the number of another patient that she has sent there. They are more than happy to speak to me so that will be good. Prudhoe called me yesterday my ds pre admission is on 15 june so 4 weeks today, then of course will be wait for a bed. As i understand it they only have 6 beds on the ward, he is going to Riding ward do you know if same for your son. I have only waited couple of weeks for them coming to see me at Yorkhill hospital Glasgow, they came to see my son last Tuesday and called me on this week to say they feel they can help my ds. What area are you from and do you have to travel far to get there? How long is your ds expected to be in Prudhoe for? Please update me once youve been for pre admission to let me know how you get on, many thanks x

Hi shazian we come from Manchester so its about 3 hour drive from us and he will be staying in frazer house at ferndene and been told he could be there for up to 6 months they came 2 months ago and was told its just a case of waiting for a bed because they get admissions from all round the country like I said though they have a great reputation and I hope his sensory issues get sorted because even if someone touches him he will get so high I would love to give him a cuddle but I can't :( good luck shazian and I will let you know on Wednesday night how it went x

Mrsronaldo1..... wishing you lots of luck for Wednesday. Hope they can really help your poor ds, and you will soon be able to give him a lovely big cuddle. Think from reading online there are more beds in Fraser house. The riding ward where my ds going only has 6, he cant cope when too busy. We stay just outside glasgow so im about 3.5 hour drive each way too, will be extremely difficult. Will your ds be fine and cope ok on his own without you staying with him? As far as i know we are not able to stay with ds the doctor said they have a flat which we can use to settle him in for a few days, then we to come home . We will be able to bring ds home on a few of the weekends but the weekends he stays we again will be able to use their flat. They are sure they can help ds who has extreme sensory issues too makes me feel very positive . Lots of luck for Wednesday x