Little Brook Hospital - Dartford

Sharon S.

My names mark ,I’m 56 been self employed all my life ,never taken recreational drugs, don’t smoke and only drink socially.
I experienced a sustained traumatic episode 8 years ago because my gp refused to believe I had tumours growing on the main nerve in the bottom of my feet , pain and subsequent events led to a breakdown that I survived by accident.
I got through somehow but suffered a relapse 15 months ago and was being readied for Ect ( electric convulsion therapy) under instruction of dr Anosike At eureka park mental health, ashford .Dr Anosike decided to section me and send me to littlebrook hospital against my wishes , I was willing to go to canterbury or Maidstone. I absconded from home , had 15 policemen, dogs , helicopter searching for me , total waste of money if any of the egomaniacs had listened and placed me near my family instead of littlebrook, I was on amberward . bearing in mind they had 24 extra hours before my arrival , the first round of medication at 8.30 pm was wrong , the staff were totally unprofessional at such a major mistake, wouldn’t listen, Tim was in charge that night and for the most part ignored me , shutting the office door , after constant badgering I eventually got 2 of the 3 tablets I should take at 12.30am . it took 2 days of constant pressure to get my medication right . Sleep is very important but impossible, mattress , pillow duvet ,covered in plastic , meaning if you manage to get to sleep you sweat profusely. Some patients are up all night shouting and screaming, the staff largely ignore them . The doors have self closers that shut with such force it’s like a gun going off. Staff are constantly opening and letting them bang all night , I asked for the closers to be adjusted but was ignored as nothing happened whilst I was there . The shower in my room only dribbled down the wall , again told staff and again ignored, I spent all my time in the small courtyard to avoid the really ill patients , with only the sky as a view with walls covered in graffiti . on one occasion a patient came out and urinated up the wall , two staff watched and walked away. I went and told two more staff who ignored me , I had to empty a waste bin, fill it with water and wash it down myself. The same thing happened again but this time a staff member tipped a cup of water over it , thinking that was adequate, no disinfectant. On another occasion a patient soiled himself , absolutely stank , he asked the staff for help , they left him sitting in his own fesses whilst giving us lunch , I estimate it was about 5 hours before he was cleaned up , no wonder myself and a couple of fellow patients I spoke with had diarrhoea the entire time I was there .
I saw the ward psychiatrist, dr baa for approximately 45 minutes trying to explain that I was told by dr Anosike that I would receive the Ect treatment quicker as an impatient . No additional treatment, psychology , cbt, or help was provided during my stay .
After 5 days I was called to dr baa office to be told I would not be receiving Ect as promised, dr baa said she had spoken to dr Anosike and because I sat in the courtyard I didn’t qualify for Ect . Completely dumbfounded.
Subsequently I was discharged the next day . I have been constantly lied to , treated as sub human, witnessed very sick patients being treated without humanity by the majority of staff who would be prosecuted for cruelty if they were looking after animals. I spent 6 days in littlebrook , hardly slept , was Ill the entire time I was there , discharged in a much worse mental state. Hospital isn’t a word to be associated with littlebrook, asylum would be better. If you have a family member who is suffering depression/ anxiety and they are told there going to littlebrook asylum, please don’t let them go there , anywhere else .it’s an experience that has destroyed my faith in humanity and which I doubt I’ll ever get over . Whoever runs the place should be ashamed .the ward manager Susan tried her best , the lady doctor on admission and a young nurse where an example to the rest .

SarahLouise1983

This Hospital is absolutely disgusting.Staff are unprofessional and rude to family members of patients and just leave patients to rot in their rooms , they should never be allowed to work in the care sector especially with vulnerable people

Kate R.

My loved one was an inpatient at LH for 4 months in 2023. Cherrywood Ward.
Our experience of the hospital was very good.
The nurses, reception, doctors are all approachable and friendly. This place is really to sort the right medication out.
It was our first experience of a psychiatric hospital and a huge shock. I made a point of chatting to any patients and staff on visits, it must be a difficult job and some patients unfortunately have no family at all. Kindness costs nothing.
There is a large communal area on each ward, with an outdoor courtyard. Bedrooms are small with en suite. There are occupational therapy groups for patients like walking group, music group, breakfast club, self care group, chicken group, exercise group which are all simple ideas but very enjoyable.
Do not be afraid to keep calling the ward for updates. Doctors usually call back with updates. They are very short staffed due to funding but I found them to be approachable and helpful. There is a wonderful family support lady called Kat who can find out any information you need if you call her. Also a monthly CPA meeting you are invited to attend.
We stayed in close contact with our loved one by phone and we visited and took them out for a few hours when well enough and also home leave for two nights. Nearest pub for lunch is The Wharf , nice reasonably priced little cafe called Lizzie’s and also the country park is good. We also took our loved one for a haircut and beauty treatments to Guys n Dolls round the corner who were absolutely amazing with her when she was so unwell.

Kirsty T.

Physical health neglect, no support was on a section and all of a sudden they just discharged me knowing how unsafe and actively suicidal I was,worse mental health hospital I have ever been in

Daniel N. J.

Staff spit in your face literally.
They also open parcels of yours not in your presence, which is illegal.

Michael J.

Terrible locked in done my section keeps getting imendid certain people can go out but different rules for different people. Racist also nothing is done properly the only three people that help is Leanne Hayley Shanghai and Wally. Valentine threatened to inject me in my spine to paralyse me what a nice to be at Xmas.also you never have more then 5 minutes with a consultant only intrested in you taking your medication and feel like a abused animal disgrace also Cheryl and Megan help. But when there not here people staff do what they want and as long as they have money that’s all there intrested in gutted I didn’t go to amberward atleast mrs ba listenes to you

Rob V.

Absolutely horrible place Amberwood ward, staff are rude and arrogant and are definitely there for the money rather than the love of the job. They stand around on their phones, talking to each other in their own language then looking and laughing at patients. I made a formal complaint about a doctor and was told to either drop the complaint or be discharged. So now I’m back home, still in a bad place mentally, all because I refused to be spoken to the way I was.

In my opinion Dr Baa is by far one of the rudest, arrogant and nastiest people I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet, she is unfortunately one of those who hasn’t taken the power of her position well and is most definitely on a power trip that shouldn’t dare be questioned.

Tommy J.

Absolutely disgusted with the duty of care and staff attitude even the switch board openly admitted that all the ward's are miss treating the Patience and never pick up the phone.
I made a concern about A patient I am next of kin and said I was unhappy with the service the nurse in charge then whent to the Patient ( That is severely mentally impaired) and complained about me complaining and asking why I am next of kin. Completely unprofessional and controlling abusive behaviour.
It is a specially bad on the weekend as theres no actual Management to manage these poorly trained staff they know they can get away with it and they clearly don't care. Do not even leave this hospital as last Option.