Note:
Ref: Duc Van Minh
Minh headbutted someone in the ward and has been restrained
Due to his violent behaviour, Minh has been transferred to another ward until further assessment
Minh was quite temperamental today
He spoke about seeing ghosts and hearing voices. He sometimes talked about God and having special powers
Minh’s parents insisted that he must go home and stay with them
Minh will have a forensic assessment
Attended tribunal for Minh
The solicitor did not arrange for any Vietnamese interpreter
Minh continued to be detained under Section 3 of Mental Health Act, due to the risks he poses to himself and others
Minh was quite unsettled by his new environment
Minh refused to leave his room and did not want to go out
Our session was cut short because Minh did not cooperate
Minh refused to eat. He insisted a spirit told him to starve in order to live longer
The doctor is changing Minh’s medication due to the change in his condition Minh has been diagnosed as having schizophrenia and possibly bipolar disorder
Minh showed signs of depression
Minh’s money is being kept by the hospital
Minh is still hearing voices from ghosts, God, Buddha and believes he has special powers to save people's lives. He told me he can predict when people die Minh was assessed by the Institute of Psychiatry
VMHS has not been invited to Minh’s tribunal or psychiatry assessment
Minh refused to take his medication and was not in a good mood today
Minh went to a shop to buy some snacks. I told him it was £4 but at the till the cashier told him it was £2. He turned round and asked me why I said it was £2
The panel feels Minh has been in hospital for too long and they will try to look for a suitable accommodation to discharge him
Ward round. Minh has not eaten for 4 weeks and has lost weight
The team feels Minh’s condition will not change much for however long he stays in hospital Minh entered the room but did not want to talk about it
Minh said that he feels as if he has liquid running under his right arm. Ward round ended
He is still hearing and fighting voices. These sounds always happen in the toilet
Minh expressed his concern about the side-effects of his medication. He has a dry mouth and difficulty speaking
Minh is awaiting his blood test results
Minh no longer takes liquid-form medication and said he has not seen any ghosts recently
Minh shows signs of relapse and unescorted leave is suspended
Minh stayed in his bed and didn’t want to get up
Minh said he heard voices telling him to kill himself
Minh’s mother did not understand what the hospital staff said to her. She gave the mobile number of Minh’s sister to contact in emergencies
Minh asked for weekend leave but it was not permitted because the senior was away
Minh will be under the Community Treatment Order when he moves out of hospital
He will move out in about 3 weeks. He will sign the tenancy agreement on his new flat tomorrow
Phoned the hospital and they will arrange for a Vietnamese interpreter
Minh was discharged from hospital today and should make arrangements to collect his belongings
Minh has been reported as a missing person with the police
He told hospital staff that he was sitting on the bus the whole time
Minh has become mute. The doctors say he has relapsed back to the state he was 4 years ago
Received Minh’s revised care plan
Minh attacked Dr. Gupta and the ward nurses last Friday
The doctor confirmed that the client attacked him and he is under pressure to press charges against the client
Client has side effects from his medication. The medication makes him unhappy. He developed a rash on both hands. He also has constipation and diarrhoea
Client claimed that someone stole his belongings.
Client alleged that he has been attacked four times:
1) A patient tripped him over 2) A patient kicked him on the hip
3) A patient punched him on his right shoulder
4) A patient used toothpaste to blind his eye
Minh’s mother wants to move Minh’s money to another bank account. It is currently being kept in the hospital account
02/02/2012
Arrived at 9:45am. Minh already had his meeting
His family did not come
The hospital suggested for Minh to move to a fully supported accommodation. His mother did not support this idea
Minh
has not eaten for 5 weeks
His
blood and urine test shows signs of kidney failure and liver malfunction
Minh’s mother agreed to tube feeding
Minh started to eat after the hospital tried to tube feed him
Minh looked a lot better today, but he still feels a bit tired
Minh is on benefits and should not pay any tax
Minh is not well and is not able to
make decisions about his money.
The hospital has applied for guardianship to ensure Minh’s money can only be used for his own benefit
Minh has been in the hospital for a very long time
Client to be discharged today. All MDT congratulated the client. His condition has improved greatly in the past 5 years.
Client has stopped hearing voices. He no longer has issues seeing or hearing ghosts. Client currently has an allowance of £25 p/w
Minh did not take his medication. He was admitted to hospital yesterday
The doctor told Minh he should take his medication to help him stay well
Explained to Minh and his parents that the team does not want Minh to leave the country for more than 2 weeks
In the UK, people who are out of the country for over 2 weeks will have their benefits suspended and it will be very difficult to get reinstated. This will also affect his housing benefit
22/05/2014
Phoned and spoke to Minh’s mother.
She told me that Minh had been to Vietnam for 2 weeks and returned.
Minh is keeping well
Minh looked well and told me he was happy about the trip to Vietnam. He saw a lot of people and wants to go back again
I will come to see Minh again every 4-6 weeks
03/04/2015
Minh has been unwell and was admitted to the ward last week following an attack on staff
Minh looks physically well but is mentally unwell with delusional thoughts
Duc Van Minh is a fictional character.
This work is intended to shed light on the services offered at the Vietnamese Mental Health Services (VMHS) and the devastating impact its closure will have on the most vulnerable in the community.
This book project is a collaboration between Will Pham and Beatrix Pang in September 2023.