"Staff certainly showed humility, openness and compassion💜"

I have twice spent time in Bronte Ward this year. The staff were very respectful and diligent about reading and honouring the wishes in my safety and what helps me. HCA and NA were so patient and nothing was too much trouble. One feels quite powerless as an inpatient and things like there never being any bother unlocking the washing room or getting water etc is so appreciated as sometimes I can feel like a nuisance. I felt listened to and heard and my views on what I experience when unwell accepted. This means so much. I was never made to feel less than or judged by staff and it was helpful to have conversations with staff who knew me from past admissions to talk through my experiences of that. They were very open and it was so healing. Dr Gorman worked collaboratively with me, which was also so appreciated. 

Staff on duty introducing themselves is also really helpful. When called for medications or meals the staff who  spoke quietly but clearly was so good. You can feel like a child being called otherwise. 

Staff had time to talk when I was upset and the vision, thought and work put into the sensory garden from Jeff is just amazing. Gardening and being outdoors is something a friend encouraged and did with me which I now do myself. Having the garden to go and work in to soothe and settle myself was fabulous. There was a time I wouldn’t have been motivated or felt able to do that and would have needed someone to do it with me. It’s such a valuable space.

The morning meditation group run by Grainne was great. Although there was an OT for the ward, there wasn’t an OT programme and my needs, likes and strengths weren’t discussed. I was taken to the meditation then left with Grainne. There was once a group in the lounge I missed and one session of Tai Chi which the OT did with us and the instructor but nothing else on the ward for the 4 weeks. 

HCA and NA were great trying to accommodate going out for a walk when staffing levels allowed and I really enjoyed the  gardening session with someone from outside. But only 2 ppl per ward could go.

I was surprised that some staff on the ground didn’t know about the Suicide Care Pathway as they are the ones working directly with patients and this was launched a good while ago. Staff themselves recognise a need for more education about trauma, its impact and working in trauma informed ways which is so needed for us receiving services especially as autonomy, voice and choice are so central. Staff in Bronte certainly showed humility, openness and compassion💜

I'm very grateful for the way staff were with me and another step in healing. Both from my own previously untreated trauma and iatrogenic harm. Many thanks!