Issues to address: Unprofessional Nurse Manager Sister Ho 34A’s Inefficient nurses 34A’s Staff Nurse Rhoda Dela Cruz IGNORING patients Treating team not explaining, educating and counselling on illness Visiting timing not extended. Consent not soughted for ECT Money given for research given to unwanted persons away by nurses. Not safekept. Not treated with dignity and respect - Treating team - doctor Rao and case manager Sarah Ann FORCING one to sign school's withdrawal form with various conditions. Inability to refuse recommended treatment - treatment forced down our throats. Inability to exercise our rights to leave the hospital against the advice of my doctor. Inability to exercise our rights to be able to meet and talk with other visitors during visiting hours. Handphones not able to use in wards (a terrible thing) No religious counselling allowed or provided. Being a extremely long social overstayer but parents given the leeway of putting patient in the hospital but not paying anything. Sanitary pads are lousy

Issues to address:

1. Unprofessional Nurse Manager Sister Ho 34A’s
2. Inefficient nurses
3. 34A’s Staff Nurse Rhoda Dela Cruz IGNORING patients
4. Treating team not explaining, educating and counselling on illness
5. Visiting timing not extended.
6. Consent not soughted for ECT
7. Money given for research given to unwanted persons away by nurses. Not safekept.
8. Not treated with dignity and respect - Treating team - doctor Rao and case manager Sarah Ann FORCING one to sign school's withdrawal form with various conditions.
9. Inability to refuse recommended treatment - treatment forced down our throats.
10. Inability to exercise our rights to leave the hospital against the advice of my doctor.
11. Inability to exercise our rights to be able to meet and talk with other visitors during visiting hours.
12. Handphones not able to use in wards (a terrible thing)
13. No religious counselling allowed or provided.
14. Being a extremely long social overstayer but parents given the leeway of putting patient in the hospital but not paying anything.
15. Sanitary pads are lousy

Finally, stay here has been an unpleasant and uncomfortable one.

Analyst on Patient Information Sheet. 30/6/2012 30 June 2012 Saturday 9:05pm

Referring to the Patient Information Sheet, I write my story and in this letter. (In fact, I just found it on the shelf in the nurses' counter. And it wasn't given to me at all in admission!)

Institute of Mental Health. "Loving Hearts, Beautiful Minds", Located at Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, Singapore 539747 with the telephone number (65) 63892000 and the website www.imh.com.sg.

The Institute of Mental Health (IMH)/Woodbridge Hospital (IMH/WH) is a tertiary psychiatric hospital in Singapore. They must strive to continually improve their services and ensure that their patients and visitors are well cared for. They have to recognise that each patient is unique with individual needs, strengths, values and beliefs. That their staff have to strive to make my visit, consultation or hospitalisation at IMH/WH a beneficial and comfortable one. However, in this letter I want to state that even though they strive to do these, I am not ensured that I as a patient was well cared for. I am not being recognised that I as a patient is unique with my individual needs, strengths, values and beliefs because I roughly quote my Nurse Manager Sister Ho Soo Kim's from my fourth admission ward 34A words "I have 40 over patients here, I can't follow each of your individuality, there are rules and regulations that EVERYONE has to follow." Yes I agree there are rules and regulations that might be for us, but if you just see and for easy management, take us as 40 patients with similar likes, needs strengths, values and beliefs, we are just like a jail like colony with a label that you band us together in a 40 patient pack. What I mean is that when I voice out to that Nurse Manager Sister Ho Soo Kim, she shouldn't say "Oh, because I have forty over patients here and therefore..." instead, she should say "I hear you, I will try my best to help you with your needed individual needs and your 'to-be-strengthened' strengths.

I           MH/WH adopts a multidisciplinary team approach in my care. But I wasn't aware of it until only recently when the medical officer Charmaine Tang told me they will discuss my issue with their meetings in "MDT", I was clueless what is "MDT", then she explained it was multidisciplinary team. However, I would like to commend on Nurse Manager Sister Krishnan that the very first time I've got admitted to IMH at ward 34B, she informed me that I am in a special team and a case manager and doctors will be seeing me. But I wasn't aware of a team MDT and the hospital has a so-called multidisciplinary team. They should inform us.

It is claimed that their psychiatrists, medical officers, nurses, allied healthcare professionals and other staff will work together with me and my caregivers to achieve the optimal outcome in my treatment.

But I'd like to state that they can work WITH me, but although they do seem like they are working TOGETHER, it is not efficient enough. For example, I told my doctor that I want them to write on the case notes that the calamine lotions I prescribe to is intended for me for my face and specifically for my pimples. My doctor, Dr Sujatha Rao said yes, they will write down. But when it comes to getting my lotion at night from Assistant Nurses, they refused to believe that calamine lotion is for my face or pimples and I had to ask the Staff Nurse to check my case notes because I said I told the doctor and she agreed to convey that message by writing it down on the case notes. Staff Nurse Tang Shi Wei just checked the EIMR, Electronic Medical records for what medicines we are taking and said it's only for DRY SKIN.    

Obviously the doctors have not updated that with pimples and face electronically! That I don't blame them but when another Staff Nurse - Jiang Bing checked my case notes, she reportedly told me even the case notes doesn't say it's for my face/pimples too! So I jump from Nurse to Nurse to try and get my calamine lotion and it's exhaustingly exhausting because the Assistant Nurses won't give me my calamine lotion unless they have been 'instructed by the doctors' to do so. The reason why I mentioned about the case notes it's because that's the way they communicate only! And that's how they "work" with each other.

Another example would be that when my case manager writes that I could listen to the radio in the mornings, Nurse Manager Sister Ho Soo Kim told me no, all my privileges have been CANCELLED and claims that the radio is SPOILT - which I tried the day before, it was working fine. Radio is essential to me in a ward of nothing-to-doness and devastating boring mornings for a 21 year old.

Wouldn't she know that I can listen to the radio in the mornings as written by my case manager? (purportedly?) No. Because she didn't read that in my case notes and case manager and nurse manager mostly communicate through writing to each other in case notes -_- which I feel they seldom talk to each other. Similar example would be when my case manager even TOLD Nurse Manager Sister Ho Soo Kim that she brought magazines for me and that she would give me a magazine per every 3/2 days. And later said I have to exchange the magazine one at a time with NM S. Ho. Before my case manager said the exchange 'policy', Nurse Manager Sister Ho DIDN'T give me a new magazine after 2/3 days.

And thereafter NM S.Ho was not coming out of her comfort of her office much that I have no chance to 'exchange' magazines with her. So that's how she 'works' with me and with each other. I would like to state why am I stating all these 'minute' examples when it can be said it doesn't interfere with my 'treatment'. My dear, calamine lotion, radio and magazines are essential to achieve the optimal outcome in my treatment.

Treatment outcome doesn't have to depend only on the outcomes of medication and 'treatment' in medical sense, however treatment is the treating of the person AS A WHOLE. Since you guys have allied health services that works as a multidisciplinary team, that has psychology, medical social workers, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, pharmacy, case managers and even dental services, you should know. Calamine lotion cures my pimples and makes me feel better about myself, radio keeps me occupied where I can be so stressed doing nothing everyday with mundane things like watching TV and writing to do, magazines is a fresh read apart from the other mundane things too. These make my stay a comfortable one.

- The MDT team will have to also explain, educate and counsel me on my illness, treatment and care which I beg to explain that they didn't otherwise. I came in here this admission because my parents padlocked my house's windows and doors and I used my strength to displace the windows so that I could climb into the house to change and bathe. Because of that they called the police and the ambulance who brought me to the Emergency department of IMH. Ms Janine Kok the doctor there admitted me because she claims the EPIP team of doctors seeing me had some 'concerns' over me even though I protested I didn't have an onset of Bipolar mania illness at the displacing of window at home. I merely wanted to make a statement that you should not lock me out of my/your house/home.

When I got admitted, consultant Doctor Sujatha Rao immediately after a few sessions of consultation slapped out a plan for me - to inject me. I was taken aback. I protested that if "you change your dissolvable nauseousatic risperidone anti-psychotic into a tablet form, I would eat it, but please don't give me injections", it's adding to my pain you know. Dr Sujatha Rao disputes that it is because I don't eat my medicines that's why they are giving me injections. And she ignores my pleas. I don't see she EDUCATED and explain nicely and thoroughly about the injection and the content of the injection. When I was feeling so afraid and sad about going on my first course of injections, she failed to COUNSEL me on my treatment and care. Counsel is walking through with the patient, caring and gently emphatising and NOT ignoring the patient about their concerns; namely in this case, my injections.

           

One more example would be that my doctor - Sujatha Rao barred all my phonecalls and visitors though initially she allowed me to call only two friends due to my other friends complaining to the hospital not to call them anyone (which I could just NOT call them anymore). And a list of RULES was THROWN to my face (refer to Appendix 2 point no 1,2 and 3.) –

1)    No phonecalls

2)    No visitors except for parents and pastors

3)    Comply to medicine dosage

4)    HP to be kept in business office and not in the ward

5)    No pestering of staff/other patients unnecessarily

And that if i follow these 'rules' I would get to go to Club EPIP (an activity group), parole, outing and finally discharge.

I am furious. If my 'behaviour' is 'bad', then you should give me therapy/COUNSELLING, not throw me a list of rules and regulations for me to follow so that I could DISCHARGE? Ridiculous doctors. It is stated as a CONTRACT AGREEMENT, but I didn't even AGREE to it. Darn _____. I felt I wasn't COUNSELLED on my treatment, illness and care, instead I felt like I was in a military bootcamp. They failed to make my stay here a comfortable one.

-Next point, I understand I have to do approach their staff (IMH's) if I need any assistance but in actual fact, they don't render assistance, if not, immediately --- when I needed Staff Nurse Rhoda Del Cruz Afalan to help me check and confirm my case notes that this calamine lotion is for my face, she IGNORED me THREE times before I could have a proper explanation (refer to Appendix 1, incident no 27/6/2012 Wednesday 8:17pm). I felt it was such an uphill task approaching any of the staff for 'assistance'.

-Third point. I understand that the stipulated visiting hours for general ward, which is my ward - 34A is Daily 12pm - 2pm and 5pm - 7pm. But I still see visitors streaming in from 9am till 9pm in the evening. And THAT I AM NOT COMPLAINING AT ALL! Because I feel that we should have visiting hours from the TIME we wake up to the TIME we sleep! Visits/visitors are greatly treasured in a world of jail-like environment, I got so relieved and comforted when my visitor comes in the morning and brings me breakfast that the hospital always can afford to only provide bread and coffee, bread and coffee, bread and coffee EVERYDAY. Every single day!

-Ok, next point. There are other related care activities conducted in their hospital and they want us to take note of these. As a patient, my consent will have to be sought for identified treatment and investigations. If my mental condition prevents me from giving consent, my next-of-kin and lawful representative may give the consent in accordance with the legal provisions in Singapore.

However, last year, in 2011 in the months between June to November where I was transferred to the high-dependency psychiatric ward. The doctor there slapped me with an ECT (Electro-Convulsive Therapy) treatment. My consent have not been sought for that identified treatment. Because I was too 'high'? I can't make decisions for myself? Or because they were afraid I would say 'no', and force it on me. Even my next-of-kin's consent were not sought. My mum and dad, alive, did not say yes or no, they weren't being asked at all! When asked case manager Sarah Ann Tay about it, she said EVEN THOUGH MY PARENTS DON'T AGREE TO ME HAVING ECT, THEY WOULD STILL GO AHEAD WITH ECT BECAUSE I'M TOO 'HIGH' ALREADY. What makes you think ECT would be the definitive cure-all for even severe bipolar mania? What I can remember is I ACTED, BEHAVED WELL after 8 sessions of ECT just to get away from ECT and to 'prove' to them I am 'cured' while in actual fact I wanted to avoid being injected with knockout anaesthesia and waking up not remembering anYTHING or even WHERE AM I. From my experience, ECT has made me lost my precious memories and made me a ZOMBIE. I merely wanted to avoid it and I ACTED well and forced myself to behaved! So that's how this age-old ECT 'cures' you! I feel that ECT should be over and DONE with of this 50 years old treatment which has not changed passing electricity through your brain. Inhumane? You bet. I think, the slogan is just superficial. "Loving hearts, BEAUTIFUL minds?" You don't bet. This age-old ECT service? And you still say you 'strive' to continually improve your 'services' and ensure that your patients are well cared for. How do you maintain patient care as your utmost priority when our memories are going to be lost and my brain cells are damaged? How are you committed to providing healthcare of the highest quality when that practise is outdated about 50 years ago?

IMH/WH is gazetted under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008. This Act allows for persons who are suspected of unsound mind and believed to be dangerous to themselves or others by reason of unsound mind, to be detained for treatment in this hospital. Such admission is termed involuntarily and the duration if detention varies from case to case. The treatment and care for such patients will be the same as other patients who are voluntarily admitted for treatment.

I am not placed under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008, but even if I'm not under that I have stayed in IMH for FIVE months in 2011 and another SIX months in 2012. It is almost the same as keeping a patient under the Mental Health Act and you have no right to detain me for treatment in this hospital because they should not suspect me of an 'unsound' mind. I can't help but have a verse floating in my mind: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, But of power, of love and of a sound mind" 1 Timothy 1:7. I am not trying to be religious here, but not talking religiously, I should not be suspected of an unsound mind. I have mood elatedness and being high, but I am not 'unsound' to the extent I hear voices, I hallucinate, and talk to myself like a retard or get so high that I can't control myself. I also am not dangerous to myself or others. I

have never harmed myself or others ever. If you force someone to stay in the hospital against their wishes, how is it that we are working TOGETHER? If you force someone to stay in the hospital against their wishes, don't you think a normal, sane, person of a sound mind would turn INSANE? She would! Surely!

To be continued...

Analyst on Patient Information Sheet

Contd

Research is also undertaken in this hospital and I may be invited to participate in clinical research or clinical trials. I am selected and did not decline to participate in a LYRIKS research for at risk individuals during my stay in IMH in 2009. I was given $50 each for drawing blood from me, doing tests on me and the nurse manager and nurses failed to safekeep my $100 in total and it was passed to my uncle - which in turn passed to my mum. I am not happy about it because it's MY money, I go through the pains of needles poking me and I don't intend to pass my money to my mother. I have experienced many shortcomings in my care. Therefore these important views and comments that I write, hopefully it will be to be given due consideration.

Mr Chua Hong Choon, Chief Executive Officer, refer to Appendix 1 for staff service failures and you would know what I mean.

PATIENTS & FAMILY RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

            IMH is an acute tertiary psychiatric hospital that provides inpatient and outpatient mental health services. They aim to deliver high quality care to achieve the best possible outcome for all patients.

            It is claimed that all medical decisions and recommendations on my treatment are made after careful deliberation by the care team and take into account all available information and facts concerning my condition.

            But I think that my team of EPIP (Early Psychosis Intervention Program) came across to me as coming out with decisions and recommendations on me in careless deliberation. They have tried, in my sense, badly all the available information and facts concerning me. The team withdrew me from my studies and even FORCED me to sign the withdrawal form. My case manager, Sarah Ann Tay shifted the school's withdrawal form, while my mum and doctor pressed for it, to me. Stating that if I don't sign the form, my mother will not come and visit, if I sign the form, my mother will come and visit me. <---- WHAT ABSURD?

            In the hospital's care delivery, they also have to ensure that I am accorded due respects and rights.

         

          1. Be Treated with Dignity and Respect

            I shall receive considerate, respectful, appropriate and cost effective medical care, regardless of my age, gender, race, nationality, social status, physical or mental illness.

            The hospital also have to respect and support my rights to appropriate assessment and management of pain by qualified healthcare professionals.

            Forcing me to withdraw from my studies when I have only three months left to graduate and I've got great potential to move on - gotten a 'B' for my current semester is considerate? Forcing me to sign a withdrawal form for school especially by doctor Sujatha Rao and my case manager Sarah Ann Tay is respectful? All the time I was flailing 'my arms' raising the hew that no! I don't want to withdraw from my studies! Is it my choice or your choice??! I actually don't have to stay in the hospital at all as an inpatient becuase I don't have an onset of Bipolar Mania mood 'highness' by displacing a window! And I stayed in the hospital more than what was expected and overshot my school reopening date - 21 April when I admitted on 10 April. Forcing me to sign the withdrawal form or else my mother wouldn't visit me, is appropraite medical care for me? Although in medical terms I am given medicine and all that, but mind you, my studies is affected! I am well, I am fit to study without any onset of mental illness. Even my doctor - Sujatha Rao said that my illness has stabilised!

            The hospital or these people have not respected and supported my right to appropriate assessment and management of pain. This emotional struggle and pain is an internal devastation! You inflicted emotional pain in me by forcing me to withdraw from my studies!

           

          2. Informed Consent

·                                 Informed consent will have to be sought from patients and caregivers for treatment and procedures where required.

·                                 If the patient has been found by the doctor to be 

            i. incompetent/unable to understand the proposed treatment for whatever reason) and/or;

            ii. medically incapable of understanding the proposed treatment and/or;

            iii. unable to communicate his/her wishes regarding treatment, our legal guardian/authorised person may exercise (to the extent permitted by law) the rights delineated on behalf of us.

           

            I'll like to reiterate again, informed consent have not been sought from me as a patient for treatment and procedures as required.

            First, giving me injections,

            second, slapping me with ECT.

            Third, withdrawing me from my studies - a procedure.

            The team of doctors and case managers DID NOT even have a conference/session/talk with my school's course manager or counsellor. I said you as a doctor and case manager, instead of finding ways to get me back to my studies, you detriment me by en-routing to withdraw me without any options! How was I treated with no dignity! I was not found to be i, ii, or iii!

            3. Safety & Privacy

            We are entitled to be treated with dignity in a humane environment that affords reasonable protection from harm, including:

                        - Receiving care in a safe setting,

            - Being free from physical restraints or seclusion, unless medically required in situations where there is substantial risk of imminent half to myself or others.

            - Being provided with appropriate protection, especially for the disabled, elderly or vunerable children.

            I am going to spat on these statementd because what I'm going to say following will show we have not been treated with dignity in a humane environment.                       Nurse Ma Win Win Mar in 2009, in my first few admissions, man-handled me when I wanted to go out of the pantry into the visitor's area, she pushed and kicked me. Assistant Nurse Rosnah Binte Aziz and Health Attendant Dana Lachmi did almost the similar things too.

            I have the right being free from physical restraints, but referring to Appendix 1, Nurse Ma-H shouted at me "Okay tie her two hands, one body" when I just don't wish to take my medicine! There was no substantial risk of imminent harm to myself or others! Even though they might dispute that if I do not take my medicine it would be 'harmful' to me or others. But I beg otherwise, I had sudden vomits after I ate the lithium so I just decided to stop taking it for a while, it's my choice.

          6. During My Stay

          1. I can accept or refuse medical care or recommended treatment to the extent permitted by law. In so doing, I have to accept responsibility for any medical consequences resulting from my decision.

            2. I have the right to leave the hospital against the advice of my doctor, unless I am in legal custody within the ambit of either the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008 or the Criminal Procedure Code (Chapter 68), or where restrictions on such rights to leave the hospital are otherwise stipulated and/or permitted or authorised by any existing law in force in Singapore. However, if I choose to do so, the hospital and doctors will not be held responsible for any medical consequences pertaining to my health thereafter.

            3. I have the right to meet and talk with family, friends and other visitors during visiting hours, unless my doctor or the hospital's policy orders otherwise.

1.         I do not know what is the extent permitted by law and I consulted Staff Nurse Jeslin Tan Chun Hua, she failed to provide me with a comprehensive information on what kind of laws is IMH/WH gazetted under, besides the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008. I chose not to eat my medicine (lithium) and my doctor just - on 2/7/2012 8:56am said - if I don't eat my lithium, I can't go to Club EPIP, my privileges won't be given to me. I have the right to accept or refuse medical care or recommended treatment! And you are indirectly forcing me to eat my medicine by revoking my 'privileges' like Occupational Therapy/Club EPIP. Where my 'privileges' are actually necessities - THERAPY, an activity club. The law would not have force me to eat medicine because I didn't infringe on any laws while having onset of mental illness, nor am I a danger to myself or others without eating medicine. When I do not want to eat medicine, Nurse Ma-H said, and I want to say again "Okay tie her two hands, one body, if she doesn't want to eat her medicine, WE BRING IT TO HER". Forcing/Threatening? How uncomfortable and threatened I feel about my stay here!

2.         I have the right to leave the hospital against the advice of my doctor. I am not under the ambit of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008 or Criminal Procedure Code or permitted or authorised by law in Singapore. However, I would like to say my doctor Revoked my Right and when I said I would just take my belongings go off to my friend's house to stay or just drop myself outside my home and see how it goes because my parents refused to take me home, Dr Sujatha Rao said no, she can't let me out, "I need to be in care of 'somebody' ". Although I have the right to leave the hospital against the advice of my doctor, I still find myself staying long in the hospital. By now, - 2/7/2012 12:03pm I've stayed in the hospital without an onset of mental illness for Four months. Now it's 6 months. Where are my rights? Where is my say? The doctors REFUSED to let me out! Even the doctor - Sujatha Rao says "Yes, I agree that your illness is STABILISED". Note: this is a hospital, not a jail. If I'm well, I would like to sue you for keeping me in THE HOSPITAL! If I choose to leave the hospital, the hospital and the doctors will not be held responsible for any medical consequences per\taining to my health thereafter.

3.         I have the right to meet and talk with family, friends and other visitors during visiting hours. My doctor4s has ordered that my friends can't visit me and I can have no other visitors except for my parents and pastors which I think it's very detrimental to me. But that aside, my doctor did not say that I can't meet and talk to other visitors during visiting hours! Nor do I know of any funny hospital 'policy' that orders me that I'm so special that I can't meet and talk to family, friend or other visitors. If the hospital policy states so, I am not posing a threat to my family, friends and other visitors that I can't meet and talk to them. Although my doctor says friends can't visit me because "they don't want to take the risk" they=doctors and the team, "risk that I (might disturb? them or that my friends actually don't want? to visit me?"? I don't know. I am not a threat that the hospital policy have to state otherwise. As I write this on 6/7/2012 friday 6:26pm, I have been going to the visitor's area and I meet and talk with OTHER visitors during visiting hours but the nurses doesn't seem to understand I have the right to do so, they have been, case manager also, forcing me out of the visitors area during visiting hours!

6/7/2012 Friday 6:41pm

Feedback:

                   Responsibilities as a Patient and/or Caregiver

2.         Following the Doctor's Recommended Treatment Plan

            I have informed the hospital of the obstacle which I faced in complying with the treatment plan ie medicine and has chosen to stop taking it though I regularly keep to follow - ups in appointments. I vomitted several times suddenly after I ate the medicine as of 26/6/2012 Friday 2:33pm.

4.         Safekeeping of my belongings

            As an inpatient, I need to observe the following that to ensure my safety, the safety of other patients and staff, sharp or harmful objects and cigarette lighters are not allowed in their wards, but electrical and electronic gadgets eg handphones should be given a second thought.

            Giving up all contact and constant communication with the world, our friends, family and other loved ones can drive us crazy.

            And in our modern context, constant communication and contact means SMSes, calling and most importantly Facebook, twitter and blogs. One month away from your facebook, even one day can make your 'Facebook' dead. But that's not the most important thing, it is the adaptation from the society, home, and our comfort zone into the Hospital, sudden throwing from our homes into a world without handphones, can make us like a fish out of the water. I think you should know what I mean. My stay in IMH, they don't let us even Touch our handphones while we are staying in here! I've heard NUH's psychiatric ward. ALLows handphone for their patients there! What a Big difference that makes! Ok, if you think handphones can be a danger if allowed in the wards, take measures like how NUH does, to put your utmost priority in patient care at IMH and be committed to providing healthcare of the highest quality ie continually improving your services. Take measures like placing our handphones in the already installed lockers in our dormitory or in the property lockers outside at the entrance's nurse's counter. I have discussed this issue with SN Grace and she brought up the issue that if we keep our locker keys, what if we lose our keys? Police case? BUT, In the end, work around to ensure we have an opportunity to use handphones for a few hours each day while in stay in the ward.

5.         Religious Counselling

            It is stated that IMH respects our emotional, social, spiritual and cultural needs. That we may express our spiritual beliefs and cultural practices which they would endeavour to observe and respect within the duration of my treatment here. This freedom of expression is permissible as long as the act does not cause disturbance or harm to others.

·                                 It is stated in the patience information sheet that: I am welcomed to arrange for a religious counsellor to visit and/or pray for me while I am in hospital. And that I have to please inform the nurse if I am expecting a religious counsellor to visit.

·                                 But out of respect for other patients, I have to conduct my religious prayers quietly by my bedside so that others will not be disturbed.

·                                 Most importantly, if I need help to find a religious counsellor or religious centre in Singapore, it is said that IMH can provide me with a list of contacts where such services are available. And that their staff can also help to facilitate a spiritual counselling session.

            I realise IMH patient information sheet writes one thing and they do a different thing otherwise. I see patient Susan Chua Suan Choo talking about Jesus as a spiritual and cultural belief and practice but I see SN Jeslin Tan Chun Hua asking her "do you hear Jesus talking to you?" as if it is a mental illness that we as Christians can hear Jesus' voice. The staff have to endeavous to respect and observe our beliefs within the duration of our treatment here! We habe a freedom of expression that is permissible as long as the act does not cause disturbance or harm to the others. But it would not be 'permissible' or a freedom of expression if the Staff Nurse is going to think we are crazy (as interpreted) and we wouldn't dare to do if anymore (ie saying that we can hear Jesus' voice) even though it might seem permissible!

            I have a religious counsellor who is my friend and is a religious, spiritual leader in New Creation Church, but my doctor has banned all FRIENDS to visit me! I doubt if my that particular friend came to specially counsel me, she would be DENIED entry. A conflict of interest? Friend or pastor? You bet.

            Also, I have expressed my need for help in finding a religious counsellor or religious centre in Singapore to my doctor. And that they can provide me with a list of contacts and help facilitate a spiritual counselling session but the answer I got was a shaking head. Recognising that each patient is unique and providing quality inpatient mental health services? No.

           

            It is said religious prayers can be quietly conducted at my BEDSIDE without disturbing other. BUT my visitors HARDLY or NEVER have been allowed to enter our dormitory to sit beside our bedside. Discrepancies between a A-class ward and a C-class one? Definitely. And you say you would continually improve your services and recognise that each patient is unique with our individuality.

7.         Social Overstayer

            Patient staying in B1/B2/C Class and certified fit for discharge will be given a grace period of 6 days to arrange for discharge. However, if the patient wishes to continue to stay in the hospital despite the hospital having referred to a step down care facility or back home, the government subsidy will be withdrawn and full paying rate will be applicable for all charges incurred from the 7th Day onwards during the overstayed period.

           

            I am a patient staying in C Class ward and is certified fit for discharge. But it's been already [1 month = 30 days 4 months = 30 x 4 = 120 days] and I have not been discharged at all. By right, government subsidy will be withdrawn and full paying rate will be withdrawn and full paying rate will be applicable for all charges from the 7th Day onwards, however, I've been put on Medifund and partly my father refused to sign the Medisave form for me. That means I can stay however long I like or however the doctors like, FREE. That makes my parents have no obligations letting me stay in the hospital for such a long period of time without forking any amount of money for it! (my parents want to put me in the hospital and don't want to take back home). I do not wish to continue staying in the hospital and I was not given any grace period to arrange for discharge and my stay here is FREE! What absurd.

            Lastly, I am to approach the staff if I need any assistance, I have approached the nurses that I need to use pads with wings and of a night protection because their Kotex day sanitary pads are too small that the mensus are staining my bed and chairs. It is said these pads with wings are expensive and the hospital is uniformed in providing only that kind of pad. So assistance is not rendered. Whenever my mensus comes, I have an uncomfortable time spending with the maximum of two Kotex pads.

            So IMH strives to make my stay or visit a pleasant and comfortable one.

            But my stay here has been an unpleasant and uncomfortable one.

                        Writing ended 8/7/2012 Sunday 12:46pm