Calm, capable and compassionate HCA helped me through severe depression
Yvonne Pywell praises Paula Lawrence’s devotion to her patients, which she says helped her through a stay at a centre for people with mental health difficulties
I met healthcare assistant Paula Lawrence within the first couple of days of my admission to the Welland Centre for patients with mental health difficulties. I was an inpatient for 12 days, right through Christmas.
My needs were varied. I was experiencing a severe depressive episode, with suicidal tendencies and extremely low mood; symptoms that required careful handling.
Calm and capable
Paula seemed to be completely at ease in this acute mental health setting and her presence was felt. Her approach was always calm, caring and capable. Whenever Paula was on duty, the ward appeared to be more cohesive
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