Care in hospital
Admission to hospital
There is one hospital in Walsall that provides in-patient care for people experiencing mental health problems. This is the Dorothy Pattison Hospital.
Whilst in hospital your mental health needs will be assessed including any other problems that may be causing extra pressures or difficulties for you, for example, problems with money, work or housing.
Workers from Walsall Citizens Advice Bureau attend the hospital twice a week to assist anyone with welfare benefits, money advice, and employment or housing matters.
A worker from the Employment Retention Project is available to offer a service to any in-patients who are employed but absent from work due to illness and may be at risk of losing their job.
You may be offered different types of treatment including prescribed medication.
You will always be consulted about your treatment and informed about any decisions regarding your care, both in hospital and on your return home.
Returning home safely and quickly is always the aim of in-patient care.
Advocacy
Your opinions and feelings about the type of support and treatment you receive are very important when plans are made about your future care.
If you find it difficult to express your views and say what you need, you may find it helpful to use an advocate. The advocate is independent of Mental Health Services and is employed to speak on your behalf. The advocate can even attend any meetings with you to make sure your feelings about the type of care you need are heard and considered. Advocacy services are available from Age Concern Walsall (external link)
Hospital staff can arrange for an advocate to attend the hospital to discuss your concerns with you.
Hospital discharge
Before you leave hospital there will be a meeting to discuss any future care needs. Following your discharge from hospital you may need some ongoing help from the community teams. Your needs will be assessed and identified in your care plan. It is important that you (and your carer) are involved as much as possible to ensure you get the services that will be most helpful to you. The advocate would be able to assist you with this.