Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Woman’s worst experience of her life
A mental health patient sent by the NHS to a private hospital miles from home has described it as the worst experience of her life.
Sophie Goldsmith, of Seymour Avenue in Whitstable, was admitted to the Priory Hospital in Ticehurst, East Sussex, last September after being discharged from St Martin’s in Canterbury.
The 23-year-old, who has borderline personality disorder, says she had reached crisis point but there was no local NHS beds available.
“My dad had to push to get me a bed and that ended up being in Ticehurst,” she said. “It’s about an hour-and-a-half away.
“It was quite frightening. To begin with you’re hopeful because you think the care there will be better, but I was there a week and it was awful.”
The King’s College London student, who is studying English, says she was put on recall, meaning she could receive a call at any time to say an NHS bed was available.
“You could be out within 20 minutes. You don’t know how long you’ll be there, which creates problems with settling in.
“It was pretty horrendous from that point of view – you need to feel safe and secure.”
She says being so far away from the home she shares with her dad Nick meant she had no visitors, making her feel even more alone.
“It set me back in my recovery,” she said.
“I heard of some people who were placed near Scotland so I know being an hour-and-a-half away from home wasn’t the end of the world, but it was the worst experience of my life.”
Miss Goldsmith says she does not think, however, that scrapping the use of private beds altogether is a good thing.
The Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) says it has reduced the current number to zero.
“This could mean they are not sending people there when they actually need it,” said Miss Goldsmith.
“It makes me wonder whether some people are missing out on inpatient care.
“I don’t think it’s the right place for everyone, but cutting it all will mean some are missing out on being treated.”