The Locked Ward cover art

The Locked Ward

Memoirs of a Psychiatric Orderly

 Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

$8.99/mo after trial ends. Cancel anytime
Try for $0.00
More purchase options

The Locked Ward

By: Dennis O'Donnell
Narrated by: Dennis O'Donnell
Try for $0.00

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $14.45

Buy Now for $14.45

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 Thought-Provoking Inspiring Warrior

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
Congratulations on writing a wonderful book and telling it with such humour only you could have pulled it off. I wish there was another book you’d written and narrated as this was a cracker. Thank you.

A brilliant book, wonderfully written and narrated.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I loved this book! Touching, honest, and witty. There were moments I agreed so full heartily with the author's sentiments I said "yes!" aloud. I wish the author had written more books! Brilliant!

Thoroughly Enjoyed!!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Found this a very informative story of a psychiatric ward. Made you smile in places,funny in others. Sad and emotional in others. Makes you realise what some people go through and the support and care they are given. loved the language and narration. Thank you, Dennis, for writing and being caring to the people you cared for

Powerful

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I found this audiobook a pleasure to listen to. The authors own narration is great. I wanted more insight into what happens in psychiatrict wards as I have a family member who has a serious mental condition and has experienced such wards too. Through this book I was able to get an idea of what goes on in those wards. The Author's retelling of his experience and time of the ward makes you feel like you were there, a fly on the wall, as it is rich with dialogue and description. A great audiobook if you're interested in learning more about this topic.

Great Account

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to end. I could relate to most of it having worked in aged care myself. Dennis’s Scottish accent definitely made this a better audiobook and his delivery was perfection. It was easy to just sit back and listen to and have a few laughs 👍👏

Strangely relaxing

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.