Discharging Yourself From Hospital.

[Dizmo]

How easy is it to discharge yourself from hospital? Apart from when being sanctioned is there any other way a doctor or mental health professional could legally stop me from leaving?

He's told the crisis team that I've said "If I go home, I'll harm myself". That is a complete lie; I said "Staying here is seriously affecting my mental health and I don't feel stable being here". He also said I was aggressive which is untrue - I was merely vocalising how I felt inside - nothing was directed at him or any other member of staff.

Any help would be grateful, thanks.

[Mamyalynne]

Well if they are drawing up the paperwork, good - safe journey home.

[flump1]

Oh Dizmo, I hope you get home soon and get that blasted cyst thingy sorted xx

[wolf63]

Dizmo - I got lost, why are you in 'this' hospital just now?

Is your mum back home?

[ladyalex]

I'm not clear why you are in either, Diz.
Glad you are getting things sorted out re paperwork....it is better to leave on reasonable terms than to walk out.

[wolf63]

Being sectioned is never a good thing. Being in a psychiatric hospital is a bad enough experience.

methyl
////As a patient I have previously waited patiently for this signature through several milkings./// was your doctor an old cow?

[wolf63]

methyl - I have been lucky enough to stay out of hospital for a few years.

Milking used in that way is new to me, but reminds me that I have a pint of the good stuff in the fridge. :-)

[ganesh]

I just walked out a few days after I had my appendix out, I had appalling treatment, I was given penicillin that I told them several times I was allergic to, and couldn't stop being sick. Because of this I wasn't fed anything for 4 days, they 'lost' my x-rays and I knew I had to 'escape' just to get well at home. The 'cut' was fine and I was in little pain so I told them I was going home and got myself a taxi.
It's not a prison and it is your life. I was thankful for the good surgery even though it was apparently just in time (and they had delayed it for a day and overnight). I recovered better in my own bed at home!

[Dizmo]

ganesh: I kind of know how you feel. I've always had to fight in hospital. I never lose my rag with staff/nurses - I just take it out on myself. I'm glad I stayed long enough for a blood test which has showed up something that needs addressing immediately. I've been to see a consultant and the news he gave me was some what RAW.

[Dizmo]

Let's just say he didn't dress it up!

[Mamyalynne]

Bed news Diz?

[Mamyalynne]

Bad ^^ Sorry!!

[Dizmo]

You could say that but it's made me have a more positive outlook on my life. I'm in the process of setting up a charity to run alongside the charity I'm volunteering for :)

[ganesh]

Sorry for that, Dizmo, hope you're alright. You are always so vulnerable in hospital and it takes courage to kinda stand up for yourself. I guess I was just unlucky and I know a lot of nurses are wonderful people who don't get paid enough, but the system is the problem and you shouldn't just accept things.I still find it absurd that patients are waiting around sometimes all day for a doctor to 'sign you off' when beds are urgently needed.

[Mamyalynne]

Great,positive is good.

[Dizmo]

ganesh: When I was sat waiting to leave I heard a nurse refusing someone a ham sandwich. It wasn't until she then brought the ham sandwich especially for me that I was kind of touched. I refused it and said I was going home and she picked it up and wafted it in front of me and said "Are you sure? it's all packaged up, put it in your bag and have it for ron". I couldn't resist :D

[Sqad]

ganesh

\\\I still find it absurd that patients are waiting around sometimes all day for a doctor to 'sign you off' when beds are urgently needed.\\\

Discharging a patient needs to be done by a medically qualified person both for legal and ethical reasons.

Drs are in Out patients seeing patients or in the Operating theater or seeing patients in Casualty........discharging In-Patients ranks a low priority.

[Dizmo]

Contrary to some I don't just moan for the sake of it. I had 3 apologies for hospital staff including the ward sister. The doctor who told the crisis team that I would be unstable at home will be questioned as to why he said what he did. Had I not been hunched up in a ball crying my eyes out, shaking with fear I'd probably still be there now.

I'm a strong person but when my mental health gets the best of me I break down very quickly and I'm not afraid of telling staff that I'm in danger of hurting myself.

[ganesh]

exactly, and after they've decided to send you home (which has happened before to me and others I know) they then have to 'wait for a signature from a certain person who is busy for hours, sometimes another day!
I think it SHOULD be a priority to make the beds available so we don't hear about people in the corridors and store-rooms!