Priory Hospital Chelmsford

I was admitted to Chelmsford Priory around late 2019 and it was most definitely one of the most traumatising out of my admissions. When I arrived from being transferred from another unit I was greeted by hearing patients screaming which already wasn't the best sign however it only got worse throughout my admission, I was first placed in an upstairs bedroom which I had to be moved from due to my safety risks however the room I moved to after that was freezing cold and I had to sleep with my coat on all night. During the first few days of my admission I was struggling considerably with my food intake however staff dismissed it as a problem and continued to let me deteriorate in health, the only times staff seemed to care was when my blood sugars were far too low and I would be sent to general hospital and would eat a small snack and go back to the unit again, this was an ongoing cycle for a couple of weeks until one of the staff members who genuinely cared about us all stepped in and phoned the manager of the ward who was on holiday during this time, I was eventually having to be NG fed but if that staff member didn't step in I don't think I'd be here today. Further into my admission I was having some incidents at times but staff over used medication, my community support team admitted that I always looked devoid of life and like a zombie because of how much medication I had been given. Other patients also were being given high doses of medication and sometimes even been overdosed. Staff members would say harmful and triggering comments during incidents and hurt patients when they got restrained due to restraining us incorrectly or with too much violence. During one incident where me and another patient were involved the nurse in charge told other staff members to leave us to harm ourselves as we were still breathing so we were fine, one another occasion staff left a patient who had swallowed dangerous objects and also wouldn't check us for contraband items making the ward unsafe due to us having items such as glass and extra medication. On a few occasions I had used my clothing to harm myself and staff had left me in either ripped and ruined clothing or left me in my underwear when male staff were on the unit and also had to check on me. I am thankful the unit got flooded and I had to be transferred because it was a living nightmare . Me and many other patients have suffered and have trauma from this hospital.
Apr 11th, 2023

Incredible staff and cosy environment, that made me feel safe and relaxed. Proud to still be in recovery 9 years later, with where I would not be in the position without The Priory.
Feb 4th, 2023

amazing
Jan 26th, 2023

Jan 24th, 2023

May 30th, 2022