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Hi to all. I don't feel as though the hospital protected me. Do I have a right to complain?

Sparklebright63

I went to visit my sister in the mental unit in hospital I got there for about just after 10am she was ok when I first went in she was chatting and asking about people in her family when I mentioned my other sister Julia she flipped and was very abusive to me verbally and I was sat on the chair nearest her she started kicking me constantly I couldn't get up and she also kicked my shin tried to take my phone out of my hands and hit me on my arm all while the [removed by moderator] nurse was sat outside watching do I have a right to complain to the hospital they should have protected me and they didn't at all.

I do not feel like I can personally visit my sister anymore because I didn't feel safe with what happened what can I do about the above.

Sparklebright63.

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Comments

Alex_Alumni

Hello @Sparklebright63 I'm sorry to hear what happened when you visited your sister, it must have been quite upsetting.

Is there someone who could come with you to the hospital and help explain your concerns about safety, for both your sister and anyone visiting her? If you're unhappy with an NHS service, it's often worthwhile discussing your concerns early on with the provider of the service, as they may be able to sort the issue out quickly.

Most problems can be dealt with at this stage, but in some cases you may feel more comfortable speaking to someone not directly involved in her care. The NHS has information about complaining about a service if that's something you'd like to do:

Some people find it helpful to talk to someone who understands the complaints process first and get some guidance and support.

You'll find a Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) in most hospitals.

You can speak with a PALS member, who'll try to help you resolve issues informally with the hospital before you need to make a complaint.

If you're still unsure about anything please do ask, and we'll see what we can do to help.

Tori_Scope

Hi @Sparklebright63! It's good to hear from you

It sounds as though this was quite a distressing experience, so I'm sorry that you had to go through it. How are you feeling about it now?

As you've mentioned being hit and kicked, I just wanted to ask whether you were checked out by a doctor to make sure that you don't have any injuries that need to be treated?

I can understand why you might not feel safe visiting your sister again, after what happened. I can see that Alex has given you some information about what your next steps could be, including how to make a complaint. Have you been able to give that a read through? Would you feel comfortable speaking to the hospital to see what can be done to prevent this from happening again?

Sparklebright63

Hi Tori_scope,

I have Spoken to the Ward Sister and she apologised for what happened and said if I do visit again they will make sure a staff member is with me which is what should have happened in the first place they know what she is like with her temper and kicking out she has even hit the medical workers and poured tea on them & a patient before.
I said I will phone or zoom as I don't feel safe to visit again.

I havnt got round to this yet as went to a friend's funeral last Thursday.

She died from cancer from smoking related illness.

I will phone or zoom when I feel better its just everything happening at once.

Sparklebright63.

Sparklebright63

Hi _Tori

My knee is still swollen and hurts when I walk going to doctors on the 26th of April so will say about what happened when I go.

Thanks for asking.

Sparklebright63

leeCal

Hi @Sparklebright63, in my opinion yes you should have been protected.

According to the Code of Practice: Mental Health Act 1983
‘The hospital has to make sure the patient and visitors are safe.’
See pg 27
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/421541/MHA_Code_EasyRead.pdf

Sparklebright63

Hi Lee cal,

Thankyou for the Information I will read it when not busy and hopefully gain some information from it.

Thankyou very much.
Sparklebright63