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The Locked Ward

Memoirs of a Psychiatric Orderly

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The Locked Ward

By: Dennis O'Donnell
Narrated by: Dennis O'Donnell
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.


An extraordinary account of a nurse's life behind the locked doors of a secure psychiatric ward.

Dennis O'Donnell started work as an orderly in the Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit of a large hospital in Scotland in 2000. In his daily life he encountered fear, violence and despair but also a considerable amount of care and compassion. Recounting the stories of the patients he worked with, and those of his colleagues on the ward, here he examines major mental health conditions, methods of treatment - medication, how religion, sex, wealth, health and drugs can bear influence on mental health, the prevailing attitudes to psychiatric illness, the authorities, the professionals & society.

What emerges is a document of humanity and humour, a remarkable memoir that sheds light on a world that still remains largely unknown.

'This is a superb study of people whose minds have gone wrong, and the art of caring for them' Evening Standard


© Dennis O'Donnell 2012 (P) Penguin Audio 2012

 Medical Medicine & Health Care Industry Mental Health Professionals & Academics Psychology & Mental Health Social Scientists & Psychologists Health Memoir Inspiring Funny Thought-Provoking Witty Heartfelt Warrior
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Critic reviews

I really enjoyed The Locked Ward. He is compassionate without any taint of sentimentality, and the way he uses language is so elastic. It's like he's the most brilliant court-jester in the most colourful of courts. Bravo to him! (Gabriel Weston, author of Direct Red)
All stars
Most relevant
Beautifully narrated and addictive. Great for anyone wanting to work in this area. The difficulties and day to day challenges exposed give the reader an honest perspective of a world that society would rather not see

Fascinating, first hand account

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Absolutely brutally honest book on mental health & true to life staffing & experiences. Wonderful that it was narrated by the author.

Wonderful, endearing & honest.

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I really enjoyed this. It flowed well. Was always interesting. The author/narrator clearly had pure admiration for his clients.

Very Insightful

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I found this book so interesting. Incredibly sad in parts but so very funny too!

Brilliant

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Loved it, so insightful and eye opening. Well written and narrated with real feeling. Particularly impressive is the way that serious mental illness is explained in lay terms for the reader.

Fantastic insight into acute psychiatry

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