The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune,

An open letter to the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre doctor, Eloise Penn Ward

Dear Doctors,

RE: LIVING ON THE STREETS

Approximately three years ago, it had come to my attention, and I must say that I was very shocked as well as extremely disappointed that Sandilands had engaged in a policy of releasing patients into the Bahamian community despite the fact that these patients do not have a place to stay.

I can testify and relay horrific stories of my experiences for at least 3 days roaming the streets of Nassau with no place safe to rest my head; no place to use toilet facilities; and no place to take a bath.

In my humble opinion, this course of events should never have been allowed to transpire.

I know that Sandilands boasts of the availability of group homes to those individuals under your care who find that they have nowhere to go when it is time to be discharged.

It would seem to me that this boasting is misplaced and these homes are irrelevant if Sandilands would cast homeless patients into the streets to fend for themselves.

I can well appreciate the dilemma you were faced with – namely: discharge a homeless patient, or keep a mentally well individual (me) within Sandilands indefinitely. I did not envy your position.

But I can tell you that the predicament which I was in was far from humane and I would not wish for the same to occur with my worst enemy.

Some of you doctors even experienced the same trepidation associated with releasing a patient on to the streets.

I will not name you. But the fact remains that the “street” option did not seem to be the most viable.

So that these developments do not reoccur, I am requesting that Sandilands initiate machinations, the result of which would be Sandilands obtaining enough funds from the government so that enough beds and food would be available at Sandilands or enough space would be available at group homes to accommodate patients who have successfully completed treatment at Sandilands and who would be homeless upon their release.

Anything less than that would only exacerbate the mental state of the individual being released thereby endangering his life as well as the safety of the Bahamian community.

Who wants that? And also, more likely than not, this same individual would find himself back at Sandilands for more treatment. Needless to say, none of us want that.

I am one of the fortunate ones who was able to find shelter after three grueling days.

My question, though, and my concern is: Did the policy change?

Or are you still engaged in discharging individuals out on the streets who have nowhere to stay?

Please tell me some good news!

Thank you very much for your valuable time.

Anonymous

Nassau

September 19, 2014