Hospital's in patient psychiatric careis in need of a review

From the Guardian Series, first published Wednesday 21st May 2003.

I WAS dismayed and saddened to read the coroner's comments following the suicide of a patient at Leighton Hospital. Regrettably though, the comments are long overdue.

The Psychiatric Unit has a lot to answer for. I was a patient at the time of the suicide in question and witnessed several incidents of the type mentioned by the coroner.

The reputation of the service among patients is abominable. Furthermore as an inpatient, complaints go unheeded.

At a time when the government is obsessed with achievement of quality healthcare we must ask why the standard of in-patient psychiatric care in Crewe is poor.

When will patients in Crewe receive in-patient care with the dignity and compassion we deserve?