Highfield Adolescent Inpatient Unit — Mental Health Clinic in Oxford, England

I would give it zero stars some of the staff were absolutley rude on the phone to me

The Nurses and HCAs are brilliant but MOST of the doctors, psychologists and physiatrists are useless. Some parts of my mental health got better (even though my psychologist didn't really do anything) but some parts got far far worse. I rarely self-harmed before I was put in Highfield but I started doing it more in there and that continues to get worse since I've been discharged. The school in the unit is amazing, mostly because of the teachers. I struggled with mainstream school due to neurodivergence but the school at Highfield is tailored to what works best for you. Again the Nurses and HCAs are brilliant and absolutely the only thing holding Highfield together but they are so understaffed they aren't able to help people properly and alot gets forgotten or missed. My primary nurse was the only reason anything got done in the 7 months I was there.

Worst place on earth

i’m only giving one star as there was only a handful of nice staff. other than that highfield is not helpful. it is traumatising. the amount of times i have had to support other patients as staff have failed to do there job properly is ridiculous. if you don’t finish meals on time then you get a replacement drink even if you are willing to finish. and if a patient with an ED is willing to finish them that should be allowed. one time i had a spoonful of yogurt left and as soon as the time was up i was given and ensure. 1 spoonful of yoghurt is not equivalent to a whole ensure. i was obviously struggling at this mealtime so the staff with me were trying to distract me which did help but they failed to let me joke when i had 2 minutes left to finish (which they usually remind us) and when they told me times up they just took the yogurt away and then because i refused the ensure i then wasn’t allowed out of my room for the rest of the day. This is dehumanising and unfair punishment. We are individuals who are struggling we should be supported and encouraged in the right way. Not punished for trying our best. we were also discouraged from making friends however my friends that i made along the way supported me more than any staff member did which is not ok as that is not a patients responsibility.

I didn't get leave for over a month when there was no risk, forced to eat very large portions and if you don't finish your not allowed to go upstairs or go to school. You're punished. There is also a ant infestation in the dining room. I've come out more upset and this place didn't help me and has left me traumatised, please don't send your kids here. I would say the hospital needs improving for the mental health patients but for the eating disorder patients that is really bad. This place needs to sought out.

left with more trauma than i arrived with, cheers highfield xx

Majority of staff members were incredibly condescending and insensitive. The focus is on a strict time schedule (though ironically they would provide food and meds an hour late or not at all) rather than legitimate support. The Majority of patients return shortly after their discharge. Staff are argumentative and do not separate patients who are a danger to the rest of the ward. I'm only giving two stars because of the oxfordshire hospital school staff and Walt (from dogs for good), and those minority staff members who genuinely seem to care (but are too stretched to help in the way they wish). Overall, if you or your child need intensive (or any additional) support, this is NOT the unit for you.

I struggled a lot while I was there but genuinely some of the most nicest caring staff I have ever met in my life I can't thank them enough and I am grateful to a lot of them and whole lots of love for those staff ! Honestly came out so much more clear minded and strong then before From Kai xx

The worst time of my life because staff were not understanding at all. They treated you like a number, not a person. Recovery wasn’t the main focus, but strict schedules with zero privacy was.

Very poor rate of help. Most patients return again and again.