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12) Getting Help in Psychiatric Units
It
is important that you feel safe while you are getting treatment, and it is also
your right. If you feel threatened, disturbed or unsafe, you have a right to
make a complaint and to have this taken seriously.
No one should try to dismiss your complaint by claiming that you are imagining the abuse and that this is a symptom of your illness. No one should try to blame you by claiming that your illness caused the abuse.
NHS Trusts all have a policy on harassment and assault, which states what will be done in the event of your experiencing abuse from staff, other patients or visitors. You have a right to be given this information, and to be assisted to make a complaint. Private clinics and therapeutic communities have similar policies.
If there is a staff member that you trust, ask for their help and support in making a complaint. Most NHS trusts will also operate an advocacy service, where trained staff or volunteers can help and support you.
If there are regular meetings for residents, you may want to take your compaint to the meeting first, particularly if it involves another patient. However, you should still be able to complain directly to the management or police if this is more appropriate for you.
You can get further information about your rights within psychiatric units, together with details of local organisations who can support you, from the Mind Information Unit, Mind, Granta House, 15-19 Broadway, London E15 4BQ. They operate an infoLine Monday to Fridays from 9.15am-5.15pm. Tel: 08457 660 163. Textphone: 0845 330 1585 (If you are using BT Textdirect add the prefix 18001). Email: info@mind.org.uk.
If you have been abused by a staff member, you
can also contact an organisation called POPAN (Prevention of Professional Abuse
Network) for help and support. POPAN, 1 Wyvil Court, Wyvil Road, London SW8
2TG. Tel: 0845 450 0300 (calls are charged at local rates). Fax: 020 7622 9788.
Email: info@popan.org.uk. Website: www.popan.org.uk
If you are in a secure psychiatric unit, you can also contact an organisation called WISH (Women In Secure Hospitals) for help. WISH (Women In Secure Hospitals), 15 Great St Thomas Apostle, London EC4V 2BB. Tel: 020 7329 2415. Fax: 020 7329 2416. Email: wishlondon@compuserve.com
Next: Resources for Fighting Abuse
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