Kingsfisher Court

I was sent here against my will. For context I was on holiday in Cape Town with my wife and two kids and ended up in a car accident. I subsequently spend 3 months in hospital and had severe depression. Going from fit and healthy 30-something to in a wheelchair and not able to walk your kids to school will do that to a man. Whilst in Radlett I was under 24/7 observation for 2 weeks. A few tidbits from my experience at Kingfisher Court: - I was scared and then left alone in a place with no familiar faces but visiting hours were limited - My phone was taken away and place in a "safe box" against my will - I was woken up at 4am the first night and taken to a dark room where I was subjected to a 9-lead ECG examination on a cold metal examination table wearing only my hospital gown from Watford General and a pair of hospital socks - I don't think I slept the whole two weeks in Radlett. Most nights were noisy with screaming or general noise making by other patients. - I also refused to leave my room as several of the patients had very severe mental health disorders ranging from bipolar disorder to schizophrenia to Lord knows what else. - I witnessed patients being restrained and force to take medication by intravenous injection - One of the nicer staff member (perhaps from Occupational Health) did offer to get me a book from the library unfortunately it was written by Jeremy Paxman - Communication was poor and the general level of education amongst the staff was minimal, like, I suspect, their wages which I overhead many of the temporary staff discussing at length. - In the two weeks I received no therapy of any kind and I saw a medical doctor only twice. Once on the first morning with a team of other strangers, not one of who felt the need to introduce themselves but simply observed and took notes about me. Secondly, on the penultimate day, around 12 days later I told a different psychiatrist that I wanted to leave immediately and never come back. He apologised and after consulting my wife and mother he discharged me home whereby I began to put together the pieces of my life. - After a nightmarish stay and a total of almost 4 months in three hospitals (Netcare UCT Private Academic Hospital, Watford General, Kingfisher Court) the only saving grace was that the architecture, general surrounding and bird noises where an improvement on the concrete monolith that in Watford General where I had spent the prior month in a isolated in a side room which was awful. I don't want to be disrespectful but this place was like the Big Brother house but full of very, very sick people. It was scary and I was terrified for my wellbeing but also had no knowledge of how long I would be there. Even a 1-star hostel lets you know your check-in and check-out dates and treats patients with some form of empathy, respect and dignity. If this is what a good mental health institution looks like in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland I dread to think was a below average one might be like... We must do better for those who struggle with mental health disorders because this is simply not good enough.
Feb 23rd, 2022

Kingfisher Court is a modern, well designed hospital specifically designed for people, male and female, to receive effective treatment for mental health conditions. The staff are generally compassionate and kind. Although security for both staff and patients is essential, it is appropriate for the situation with greater security for Oak and Beech wards and effective but more appropriate security for Swift and Wren wards.
Sep 6th, 2019

I know it's not where we want to be but this is probably the best around some great caring staff
Jul 29th, 2019

Jun 25th, 2019

This is an Excellent Mental Health Hospital
Dec 8th, 2018