11 year daughter contracted norovirus on the unit within days of admission. Lack of proactive management led to a hospital admission, then ignorance of hospital advice leading to a further hospital admission. Discharged on request as care was negligent.
They are very good at dealing with issues. She was on the ward previously for 11 months and was scared of people on the ward and was being bullied. Her discharge was pushed forward and was discharged under the impression that the care would be the same as being an inpatient. But the social care services didn't turn up. Here, realises it's mistakes from last time and have worked on them. Seeing how my daughter has been after being readmitted, she has come on so much.
When I was an inpatient here I was treated worse than a criminal. There was severe emotional abuse of patients, gaslighting and emotional invalidation were rife, and those like me who made suicide attempts were described as attention seeking and manipulative. Please keep children away from this unit. Since I left I was diagnosed with severe PTSD as a result of being here. I was initially here being treaated for Schizophrenia. I was told after my suicide attempt that I would go to hell. I still have traumatic flash backs of this place.
The staff were lovely but quite a few were students who were just put on a placement there randomly and often would say some triggering things. Most of the staff weren’t trained in eating disorders. It did say that it was autistic friendly in the brochure but I would disagree. My room was locked 13 hours a day and I wasn’t allowed back in unless to go to the bathroom. This might not sound that bad to you but this fact alone made it like hell for me. The autism specialist therapist was extremely condescending and seemed to believe that autism = a mental state of a literal 2 year old who’s brain is mush or something. Wish I was exaggerating.
I’m not going to lie, it was quite a competitive environment. As we were all in close quarters and unable to get away from one another, as soon as someone else was struggling, everyone else suddenly was too. Multiple times a day we would be put in a side room whilst someone was tubed, being able to hear their screaming and cries. I once witnessed someone who was about to be tubed roughly pushed to the side and treated like an actual animal. But I’m sure that’s prolly the same in most places. I was basically ignored most of the time in favour of the ‘worser’ patients, I understand why but eating disorders are very competitive and this would only make the environment and dynamics between patients worse.
If I’m honest, I don’t have a problem with this place. I have a problem with the treatment centres in general. I will only ever see them as half a solution. And, in this case, half a solution is worse than none at all. They aren’t made to treat people. They are made to house people to keep them alive, indefinitely.
Whenever you struggled. There was a range of staff you could go too. The grounds are kept tidy. Staff also keep you entertained as well as working with you. They never give up on you.
Whenever you struggled. There was a range of staff you could go too. The grounds are kept tidy. Staff also keep you entertained as well as working with you. They never give up on you.
My nurse, was my angel
Wasn't keen when first admitted but that is just how you feel when leaving home. The staff at irwin were amazing I would just like to say a huge thank you to them but they changed my life for the better and I could never thank them enough for the experience that I had experienced. Really recommend irwin.
Ejjehejejd
I would not be alive now if it went for the Irwin staff. Angels on earth
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. The management of the Irwin unit are aware of your comment and will highlight to their team. Best Wishes.