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Yes this facility was highly needed & long overdue. However, the problem is not solved that easily. . . . We must see a change in the way treatments are given, with drugs not used as the easy, and first option to sedate difficult patients. Only yesterday was I speaking to a young friend ( early 30s) of many years ago to learn she had been in Gartnavel for 7 years, following an unsuccessful stay in a halfway house within the community to rehabilitate people before getting their own flat ! ! ! ! ! The system must be changed to see patients being given far more control of areas like changing their own beds, cooking, cleaning, ironing, washing (etc) - by normalising their stay in psychiatric & secure accommodation - hospital wards we can prevent the serious institutionalisation which takes place far too readily. As somebody who received electro convulsive therapy back in the 90's - without any proper advocates working with patients to assist them to decide on if e.c.t. was the right form of treatment for them to consent to, is it any wonder that patients rights are so much more important now. Having advocacy services provided for patients unable to speak for themselves due to their reduced perception or clarity of thought, is an integral & essential part of helping psychiatric patients get well sooner, than they do at present. Simply relying on drugs & medication combinations is not the solution. Without the whole range of other areas like occupational therapy intervention, through i.e. - cookery - and proper structure into the days of those who are seeing signs of improvement patients will only become more sluggish, de-motivated and unwell as time goes by.

About time too. This latest opening has been long overdue & much needed for far too many young, vulnerable and mentally ill patients. Many whom are more of a danger to THEMSELVES - NOT OTHERS! Despite the deluded, outdated public ideas on mental illness. Only recently I spoke to a friend of many years ago - who I 'd heard had been in Gartnavel Psychiatric Hospital for 7 YEARS! ! ! ! ! This had been following a short stay at a 24 hour, staffed rehabilitation house, within the community which acts as a stepping stone between peoples discharge from hospital & them getting their own flat. Surely if this patient is an example to go by then their 7 YEAR time in hospital confinement should sound alarm bells, and act as proof that it is not just the fabrics and design of the hospital itself that must change. . . . . . The nursing staffs intervention must also be improved , a daily routine & structure must be tailored to meet the needs of all patients, areas that must also be looked at far more reguarly. Also, assessments should be carried out on improvements to the quality of care based on patients experiences - i.e them filling out a questionaire stating how they feel their quality of care was ? With more common sensical areas like allowing patients to change their own bedding, wash their clothes, cook meals & live as "normal" a life as possible, with daily groups & therapy the likelyhood of institutionalisation can be lessened. These areas may be idealistic, and the most seriously ill can obviously not participate in such routines - but by making patients aware of their need to be able to look after themselves BEFORE they are discharged - not after they can stand a higher chance of staying out, and NOT being RE-ADMITTED, as so often happens. Far more funding must be allocated to the provision of Occupational Therapy (ie) cookery & washing up (etc) as part of the integral care package. Ultimately, patients cannot be expected to get well on various drug combinations alone. There is also the essential need for the provision of advocacy to patients who are not as aware, who's perception is affected, and whom are unable to represent themselves when being offered - (i.e) electro convulsive therapy. By giving patients that ability to discuss their options with an advocate they can hopefully make the right decision for themselves, and not regret it later. As e.c.t. carries many disadvantages - not least the damage it does to peoples short term memory in the months & even years following its use. This new hospital & its facilities is a welcome addition to the NHS. But - really if we are to prevent re- admissions or long stays in the first place - we must see provision of CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, SOCIAL WORKERS ; O.T.'s ; CPN's ; PSYCHIATRISTS & PSYCHOLOGISTS all working far more readily as a team & given the funding they need to be able to provide the service patients need......

Change your server Herald - Evening Times - First the post doesn't appear, even when refreshing the page. Re-post and the initial post magically re-appears.........a rrgghhh!