On the Ward

**Trigger warning - This episode contains a discussion about suicide.**
As the schools go back after lockdown 3, John explores what education is available to St Andrew's patients, and how this can help with their recovery.
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***Trigger warning*** Please be advised this episode contains some key, adult themes such as suicide, rapid cycling bipolar, depression and death which some listeners may find triggering.

Julie has been a patient at St Andrew’s Healthcare for nearly three years. She has found solace in maintaining the garden there and has become very attached to the mindful activity. However, as the episode moves on, Julie discloses she has been given a community placement elsewhere and she leaves the hospital, saying goodbye to podcast presenter John-Barry Waldron, who has also worked with her during her recovery journey.

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St Andrew’s Healthcare is back with a one-off special exploring what life is like for patients and staff on a secure mental health ward during the COVID-19 outbreak.

From being unable to go out, or see family face-to-face, to staff having to wear PPE, the episode, hosted by staff nurse John Barry Waldron, explores the additional challenges and anxieties that the virus is bringing to life in a secure psychiatric hospital.
During the course of the 40 minute episode, entitled ‘Lockdown’, John speaks to two patients detained under the mental health act, as well as Caroline Power, a clinical psychologist, Katie Stanton, a nurse, and Clarence Elcock a Healthcare Assistant, to find out how they’re dealing with the new normal.

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A unique five-part podcast, hosted by staff nurse John-Barry Waldron, which challenges some of the myths and taboos around mental illness in the UK today, as it provides listeners with a rare look into what life is like for patients and staff living and working in a secure mental healthcare hospital.
In Episode 1 of ‘On the Ward’ we hear from one patient in his early 40s, who has been living at St Andrew’s for more than two years. During the episode the patient speaks candidly about the street drug Black Mamba, which he says ruined his life, causing him serious problems to his mental health. He also opens up to John about his childhood, and life living at St Andrew’s.

Assistant psychologist Mel Morgan and Healthcare Assistant Michael Mullally also feature in the first episode providing insight and analysis on a range of topics such as the pathway in which patients end up in hospital, to how and when they can leave.
Read more on the St Andrew's website.

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We're back with series two of On the Ward. A lot has changed, the ward has gone through a global pandemic, making life harder for both patients and staff. In this episode we hear from a staff member who contracted Covid and ended up in hospital, and a patient, about how she coped.

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