The Brooker Centre

"When I was having a mental health crisis, I was warned on the phone by the staff here "Do not come here or we will get security to remove you!" That is NOT how a mental health hospital should behave."

"As someone who has had many experiences in different psychiatric hospitals, I never thought I'd ever find myself leaving a review remotely like this... I was on Weaver Ward for approximately 3 weeks and the experience I had as a patient was unbelievable and this is mainly down to the staff. The staff at this hospital are just amazing. Every, single, one of them. They spend so much time and effort in supporting all the patients, and its clear they're all so passionate and caring. They have the highest levels of empathy, and not once did any staff ever react in a bad or negative way towards a patient, even in extreme circumstances. They are clearly all so highly trained, knowledgeable, skilled and compassionate All of the below are things that I have never experienced at any other psychiatric hospital but did here: There were psychological groups regularly throughout the week There were things to do on the wards for entertainment such as a tablet you could borrow and use, a radio, a TV that you could control, extensive art supplies, a pool table, a ping pong table and more...and except for making loud noises at night so that you don't disturb other patients, you could do whatever of the above, whenever you wanted There was pet therapy - the most amazing experience ever. You got to hold and feed and take pictures lots of different animals including a rabbit, a tortoise, a skink, a guinea pig, a skunk, a centipede and more... I got given escorted leave every single day which meant I could go shopping and buy whatever I wanted and even went to a cafe to have coffee and cakes while chatting with staff They provided free disposable vapes if people needed them I actually knew who my named nurse was, and they spent a significant amount of time with me, getting to know and understand me and finding actual ways to help me which worked. Nadine, you are an absolute asset to the NHS and one of (if not the best) mental health nurse I have ever met in the NHS. There aren't words to describe how amazing she is, and how thankful I am to her. I will never forget her for the rest of my life I had the most fantastic experience and actually left the hospital a million times better than when I went in (also a first for me) I seriously hope that if I ever need to go back into hospital again, that I'm sent back to Weaver Ward"

"Absolutely appalling attitides and care. My partner had to go in voluntarily for a second time, or would be sectioned. They took her tobacco from her. And would rather discharge her than allow her into the garden for a smoke. While others were out there smoking freely. The fact that they would rather discharge some one that give them the care they need shows how useless the staff and system are. No one cares about a suicidal patient until its all to late and they say we wish we could do more. Prevention is better than the cure. The 1st time she was there there were 2 preventable suicides occured within a week of each other. And now i am left fearing finding that she has made a successful attempt due to the lack of empathy or care from this excuse for a ward."

"Absolutely dreadful service. If you need help these are not the people to turn to. Attended an appointment in psychosis however didn't even notice. Never return calls. You can wait 6 weeks for appointment then get a text with 3 appointments in the same week, only for them to be cancelled. Took 4 months and still not seen a psychiatrist. Sent home with a lame diagnosis that has no relevance to my partners symptoms. No medication. Been on waiting list for 4 months for cat therapy yet still can't tell us how long list is. Went in feeling positive, Left feeling helpless, angry, agitated and suicidal."