Dr Dawson opened Rhodes Farm because
she did not believe that anorexic children should be treated
on either paediatric wards or general child and adolescents
units. Staff on paediatric wards may have little
time to encourage normal eating and the nurses are trained
to care for physically sick children rather than those
with psychological problems. Child and adolescents units
admit a mix of children with very different psychiatric
problems and anorexic children, who are frequently withdrawn
and depressed, can go unnoticed among their more boisterous
fellow patients.
Rhodes
Farm provides an environment akin to a small boarding
school. We aim to make life as normal
as we can for children for whom a spell away from
home is going to be beneficial to their health.
Having to leave home and be admitted to a hospital
is a worrying experience for a parent and child.
As a mother of five Dr. Dawson appreciates how distressing
it can be for both children and parents when a child
needs hospital admission.
At
least part of the anxiety can be alleviated
by leaving your child in a normal environment,
instead of an institution. The
fact that Rhodes Farm employs a team of experienced
nurses and carers and does not use agency
staff means that children and parents know
all the nurses and doctors and, more importantly,
they know your child.
