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Admission to hospital can be distressing for many people and their families, but for others it offers a place of safety and security where treatment of schizophrenia can begin. On admission to hospital a duty doctor will usually interview the person to be admitted and their family. The main priority for the doctor at this time is to ensure that the admission is carried out in a safe and timely manner and also to gather initial information which will enable the treating team to assess the best way to help the person admitted.
All of the questions, anxieties and worries that people may have might not be addressed at this time. The family should ask to speak to the person in charge of the ward or unit. This is usually the clinical nurse manager. The manager will be able to answer a lot of questions, name the relevant doctors and nurses who will have direct responsibility for treatment and organise for appropriate family members to meet with professionals.
It is important to ensure as much continuity as possible following admission. If you are admitted to hospital, ensuring that you have access to your own personal clothing and toiletries, favourite snacks, drinks, music or reading materials are all small factors that contribute to a more comfortable stay in hospital. Regular visits by caring relatives and friends are also important.
As a relative, you should get to know the patients treating team from the very beginning. The names and contact numbers of all relevant professionals should be requested.
An initial meeting with the treating Consultant Psychiatrist should also be requested. While in hospital every person should have an up to date individual written treatment plan. They should also have a nursing care plan. It is important that service users and relatives are aware of these plans. One of the most enigmatic and deeply frustrating issues faced by relatives is the limitation of relevant information. However, it should be noted that, the treating team must hold in confidence anything the person admitted does not want shared with their family.
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