Woodlands (Ipswich Hospital)

I recently visited Woodlands after being sectioned, and i was worried at first as it was a new experience for me. All of the staff were friendly and engaging, especially the student nurse who sat with me for a few hours to talk to me and help me to do my care plan. He helped me to feel supported and like my opinion on my care mattered. During my stay I was invited to do activities as a group, and the staff even played a variety of card games with me. They supported me in my recovery and made sure that if I had any questions or concerns about my care that they were listened to and the approach was changed as appropriate. Thank you to the team at woodlands.

Didn't feel listened to around concerns about medication and reactions to it they also didn't have enough vegetarian options available so I went without food.

Excellent ongoing care. They helped me recover with the treatment. I get ongoing calls at home from a nurse and I had the 'shock treatment', which if I depreciate, they said I can get access to again. I was very scared going in there, but feeling much better. Nurses were very pleased to hear I was getting myself there with getting my own home and living more independently.

A friend was referred in crisis.needing peace, a place of safety and understanding staff - he found that, and regained a level of equilibrium in a kind environment. Staff were open, friendly and helpful within constraints of language barriers. A translator was available for some but not all meetings. Family could visit and stay for a good length of time.

Very close family member has been there 6 months. Imagine ringing up and the support workers don’t even know who my family member is.
That's why she ain’t been looking after properly.

If you don't fit into their perfect little diagnostic boxes, they would rather leave you at home to rot. During the worst year of my life and many stays in ICU, I was transferred here. By reading my notes it seems the plan was always section - send to Ipswich - rescind section (due to misdiagnosis of personality disorder for which they do not keep patients). I have been forced to sign contracts, I was never welcomed or given any information. I was simply given a bed and the next morning woken to speak to the lead consultant/s. Typically alone in a room with no-one for support. They let me leave with a wound requiring stitches. And in my notes wrote in capital letters 'DO NOT WELFARE CHECK THIS LADY, SHE HAS FULL CAPACITY AND HAS BEEN ASSESSED THIS MORNING'. You would think a consultant would know capacity fluctuates and I was very unwell at the times I was brought there. I am now untrusting of any inpatient stay.

A close family member is/was desperate for help she was admitted after attempting suicide. After two weeks she was told that they would release her against her own wishes and family - she wasn’t ready and against her families wishes making it very clear she would attempt it again but despite this they still released her. She is now in intensive care after attempting suicide again. The staff are too concerned about beds rather than care for the community.

Didn't need to wait very long and the staff were friendly and made sure I had food etc.
Was very clean and

Phoned to let them know an elderly gentleman who was in their care had somehow made his way back into the community without the assistance of his carers, Who he badly needed to perform basic tasks! The woman who spoke to me on the phone told me "what do you want me to do about it" - I suggested passing it onto staff who usually care for him/reporting it to her supervisor OR reporting it for later staff. She repeatedly told me "what do you want ME to do about it" - I could clearly see she either completely lacked any caring, compassion or even knowledge of her own trade! Ask yourself what YOU would do in a situation where a vurnerable person who you know is in need of care is walking outside without his usual carers, spending a couple of weeks in cold/rain with probably nowhere to sleep and without a decent meal. Would you tell the person reporting your client as outside and without carers, "What do you want me to do about it" and literally laugh at the situation? (I hope to god not all staff there are like this)

Iv recently needed the care of woodlands after a life crisis. The staff are amazing made me feel safe and welcome regularly checking I'm ok and asking if I needed anything.