Admission to public mental health unit

Hi @snowflake231 ,

I cant give anything specifically helpful as ive never been an inpatient. But my advice would be to call the hospital unit (is there a contact number for questions?) and ask them so you are not caught off-guard at the admission time.

If you do take your phone but are not allowed it, do you have a carer with you that can take it home for you? Do you have a plan for them to let key people know that you want to make sure are aware that you are in hospital but dont have access to your phone?

Hope it all goes well tomorrow, and that it is helpful.

@snowflake231 Back in the day they used to always confiscate your mobile phone in public psych wards. But they seemed to have eased up on that in recent times. I was admitted a few months ago and was able to keep my phone (but had to use the communal charging station to charge it). There's hospital regulation preventing you from taking photos of other patients, but apart from that I was allowed to use my phone freely.

But yeah, as @AlwaysMyself says, it would be a good question to ask. I think it might depend on specifically what level of psych ward you are going into.

Hey @snowflake231 ,

Depends on which 'section' you are going to. If it's acute care, then no, you can't have your mobile. If it's the general inpatient unit, then yes, usually you can.

But you can't have your charger with you. You have to give it to the nurses station - so with that, I'd suggest you put your name on EVERYTHING! Including your mobile and charger! Or it doesn't come back!

All the best!

@snowflake231 yes totally to my knowledge! they may not allow the charger but can charge it for you 🙂 still bring it - they can convisgate it and keep it for you behind the desk.

How'd you go @snowflake231 ?