Becton Centre for Children & Young People - Sheffield

Elvi

Harmful & very damaging environment. I have been deeply negatively affected by the time I spent here and have had to put a lot of effort into overcoming the trauma this place has caused me. There would probably be more detailed negative reviews if reliving the memories and experiences of this place wasn’t so hard for the young people who endured it. It’s been years since my stay, but I only just now worked up the courage to leave this review. I still suffer the consequences of my time at Becton and I can see how thoroughly it has hurt me. I know many others feel the same.

Ange V.

I wanted to write a review as a parent, having had a child admitted here last year. I have to admit when I googled the place once I knew it's where my child would be going, the reviews scared me at a time I was already scared. At the time it gave a score of about 2.4/5. I could tell, looking through, that they mostly seemed to have been written by children, but that did nothing to ease my fears or worries.
I didn't need to worry though.
Right from the first time I pulled in to the car park, the staff were nothing but helpful, kind and considerate.
My main experience is of Emerald Lodge. Unlike my experience of a long term stay with my child in a general hospital, it was clear that every member of staff I dealt with here was understanding and empathetic with appropriate awareness of mental illness, and the ability to separate the illness and the child. At their worst, I know my child would say horrible things to the staff, and lash out - entirely caused by the illness, or at least their fight/flight response triggered by it - but the staff continued to treat both my child, and I, with respect, concern and care. Again, this is sadly not the response I experienced after challenging behaviours on a general children's ward, so it was refreshing not to feel judged and like I was responsible for bringing up a disrespectful child.

I had to deal with numerous staff over a 4 month period there, and whilst there are some names who will always stick out to me as having gone above and beyond, there is not one person I felt didn't do an amazing job.
My experience of the staff at the school there too was also brilliant. Caring people who were happy to talk to me, show me their classrooms, tell me how they'd come up with activities and topics to spark more engagement and interest from my child.
I knew I could contact any time, and get an update, even if I'd been there just a few hours before. I knew if it all became too overwhelming, and I ended up a sobbing mess sat on the floor of a corridor, I wouldn't be judged or ignored - someone would make time for me if I wanted it, whether it was to bring me a cuppa and a tissue and give me space, or give me a hug and sit with me.

I'm hoping by writing this review I get to help put at least one parent's mind a little more at ease. I know for a fact if my child was the kind to write a review, it too would probably be negative like others on here - but they spent those months there as a child, with a severe illness, away from home, battling their thoughts and being made to follow a routine, including eating, which was something their illness didn't want them to do. Of course they won't say they loved it there. But as a mum, I saw the progress these people helped him make. I saw staff at all levels doing anything they could do engage with him and win his trust. Even now, a good 2 months after discharge, he still uses techniques he was exposed to there, because they helped. He will refer to how certain staff would help him in similar situations (e.g. "we could do what Nick helped me do"). He will randomly comment "I wonder what they're doing at Becton", or remember activities he did there.
My child still has a long way to go before he's recovered, if that ever happens, but from the boy who entered Becton, to the boy he was when he left, I just never thought he'd come so far in such a relatively short amount if time.

If you're a parent reading this, my heart goes out to you, as I wouldn't wish the illnesses that require going somewhere like here on anyone... but equally, I hope this review helps you feel a little less worried, and gives you some element of hope. I know I will forever be grateful to the people who looked after my son, helped him battle against his illness, and helped him be well enough to come home. I hope with all my heart I never have to go back, but I know if I do, and we receive the level of care we experienced on our first admission, that I can be confident my child is in a place that will help them.

Ogo M.

A beautiful place, my first thought of it and then I asked myself, how can you call a hospital, a beautiful place? I was really happy with the place, interiors, structures, neatness, friendly staff and everything.....
I didn't go for medical reasons so don't know about that, but it really looks like a healing place

Xan

Stayed on the emerald ward (-13) for almost three months and staff were nice at first but started to be unnecessarily rude at some points and discharged me the day after I told them I was about to attempt suicide. They dismissed the fact I had self harmed severely because 'there was no evidence' and I had access to sharp objects in the school. They liked to act like they had tried to do so much to help when there were not a lot of precautions made to keep patients safe and I saw staff treating patients like they were being rude by being upset. I made some good friends and a lot of the staff were very nice all the way through, shame the end sucked so much. Also my bathroom doors were faulty and would fall off but they dismissed the fact that I felt I didn't have any privacy because all the staff knock, which is not necessarily true so overall it wasn't a very pleasent stay.

Pola M.

I have so much trauma for this place I understand that it’s not amazing at pysh wards but I was treaten like I was recovered because I ate food instead of supplements. I wanted to leave thats why I left becton. The staff dont comfort you and the therapists invalidate you . I really hope that one day places like these really change and realise that we need actual help

Cath R.

I was really disappointed with the help and advice on the phone very defensive and unkind

SAVE T. T.

Some absolutely amazing staff who supported me and saved my life but there were some really rude and ignorant staff.

Luna L.

Worst place ever