Saint Vincents Medical Center – Westport

Like Medieval torture. They must work very hard to make this place so dreadful, on very single level. Most egregious, it was the repeated dishonestly, of my adult child's psychiatrist and others. If you are familiar… with the term "gaslighting," and fancy blank stares and repeated manipulation, when you ask life and death questions, this is the place for you. A week ago, with the psychiatrist and three other people present in an informal meeting in the locker room, I was told that this hospital would discharge my son and help facilitate a transfer to Norwalk Hospital. I asked about this daily. My adult son is high-functioning autistic and was not doing well in this extremely noisy environment- there is loud music and lots of noise from the staff in the smallish, central corridor/area -- all day. Yesterday, I called Norwalk Hospital, and they told me that Hartford Health/Long Lots had to call to initiate the transfer. Today, in a meeting with the Administrator, the resident and others, I was told that this is not possible. I said that my son's doctor, a very seasoned, senior doctor, made this promise. The Administrator then apologized for the psychiatrist's mistake, as if it were an incorrect food order. He then tried to convince me to keep my son at this dreadful, unbelievably mismanaged hospital. When I refused, my son was discharged with no notice, no discharge plan, and what appears to be a too high dose of a very potent drug. I had not known that this was the last day that they could legally hold my son. I had been counting on what I was told, by my son's doctor, in front of other staff members, including a nurse-manager from North wing, another administrator, and a head nurse. I have their names. I am not liked at this hospital, because I've been ardently advocating for my son, since since he arrived there, when Norwalk Hospital had no room two weeks ago. In addition, the psychiatrist was blatantly dishonest about a few other significant matters. I have been involved in medication decisions. On day one, I asked this doctor to microdose my son, due to repeated, paradoxical reactions to drugs. This was also the suggestion of other doctors at both Norwalk Hospital and at Yale. The doctor didn't like this and told me that the new drug only came in a 500 mg dosage. This is a potentially very dangerous drug, particularly for someone who had reached his current level of illness due, in large part, to paradoxical reactions to previous medications. My son has not been doing well on this dosage, which was increased in a day or two to 1000 mg a day. Tonight, I discovered that this drug comes in doses starting at 125 mg. The resident was privy to this conversation. When I brought this up with the Administrator, she didn't say a word. This is shameful. In addition, this "doctor" decided unilaterally that my son does not have withdrawal or tardive dyskinesia, despite the opinion of four previous doctors. My take is that there is something cognitively wrong here; that would be the kinder explanation. There is no accountability to speak of. The nurses are good, but there is no order, organization, or follow-through. Confusion is rampant and loud. The bottom line is profit, and those indications are everywhere. I have not witnessed any compassion in this new Chief Administrator, and not much noticeable leadership. He was quite ruthless and oddly clueless today. A few days ago, I began calling State and local governmental agencies and regulatory commissions. Tomorrow, I shall call the press. This cannot stand. We cannot be the only family experiencing and witnessing such flagrant ethical, moral, and most likely, legal violations of patients' rights. And, right in Westport, CT, which prides itself on honesty, equality, and excellent health care. People should only know. And, they will. I have much to say.

Have great staff

Please do not let all the bad reviews scare you. My daughter was admitted here on 6/1/26 for suicidal thoughts and substance abuse, and discharged on 6/10/26 North 2 for the older kids. We had taken her to the hospital… by where we live for a evaluation and St. Vincent's was the only open bed they could find for a teen, so i went and researched it and all the 1 star reviews had me thinking I was making a huge mistake letting her be transferred here. I am very glad we went through with it. The staff were always helpful whenever I called. I drove the hour and 30 minutes there everyday to see her and make sure she was safe because the reviews had me thinking the worst. Not once did I ever feel like my daughter was in harms way here. The Dr. there was very helpful and always kept me up to date on everything and always made sure to include me in the treatment of my daughter. They helped us find a medicine that actually works for her. My daughter came home looking forward to life again. We've had some ups and downs since she was discharged but her feeling like she needs to end her life has not been one of them. It's always scaring having to watch your daughter be transfer to a inpatient mental hospital, but watching her slowly coming back to life over the 10 days she was there was all worth it. I guess what I am saying is give this place a chance it is nowhere as bad as the reviews say it is.

I was admitted here when I was 15 in 2021. Absolutely horrendous experience. Another patient grabbed me by the hair, threw me into a wall, broke my nose and gave me a black eye. During this assault I tried to run away… and a staff member named Devon blamed me for not running into my room and shutting the door. Another staff member blamed me for my “attitude problems” This wasn’t even the worst part of this. I was brought to the main St. Vincent’s hospital in Bridgeport to get checked out, and once they cleared me they sent me back to this Westport facility where the patient who attacked me was in close contact with me. The psychiatrist at the time even told my parents I had to stay longer since I wasn’t stable enough to leave. A complete joke of a facility. If you want your child to get better, do not send them here

The dr was kind. but the staff was terrible. mismanaged and lost my clothes twice and blamed me. they new my story and put me with a guy who i caught masterbating when i was trying to sleep. 7 days i was bunked with… him. "the kind" dr laughed when i told him i felt uncomfortable and the vitals woman aggressively told me i wasn't getting a new room and i had to bunk with someone who was not nice my last night there. they just took the guy who made me uncomfortable and bunked him with someone else. to just repeat the same act on someone else. the water was cold to wash hands, cold showers and they mishandled a covid patient. i kindly told them when i got home after a few days that i would never come back and i thanked them for their services. mental health is important. this isn't the way to help people. thank you. There is so much more. Vitals women were completely rotten and only a few of the patients were worth talking to. place was extremely hostile. staff and patients etc. Thank you for hearing my story.

Saved my life, miss you all more than I can say Marie

This place changed my life I still am thankful for doctor Germaine n doctor Lorraine love you guys Somone give them raises from Kadell 💯❤️

My stay at this place was amazing. Center Unit is definitely doing everything right. From the staff to the therapist, psychiatrist & counselors. Everyone makes you feel like you’re safe & comfortable.

NO STARS I’m 26 now and thankful to be alive. Although I continue to battle with my mental health I am in a much better place. I can honestly say that is NOT because of this place. I genuinely feared for my life staying… here when I was a child. If they hadn’t drugged me so much as a kid I could tel you the ages I spent there but my memory is shot. I saw things I shouldn’t have as a kid. I had to grow up faster than most. I had to learn to defend my self. I became a monster there. Every time I landed there I left worse and worse. Please do anything in your power to avoid bringing your kids there. Till this day I hate going to hosptial an even if it’s for physical reasons. This place forever scarred me.

The hospital sent my son there and my son complained about the nurses not doing they job a nurse try to give him the wrong medication.when he asked for something they will Ignore him when he gets upset when they ignore… him they will stick him with a needle because they didn’t want to do they job and Provide him what he needs I do not recommend nobody to send their family members there .

Adolescent Area Experience- North 2. (children 17 and under). PART I. My conscious urgues me to warn other parents/caretakers today, February 8, 2025. My daughter was released yesterday (she was there 7 days from… Saturday to Friday) which is why I am finally writing this review. We were afraid of retaliation. I hope this is helpful to others. I will create Part II Review later. My husband and I beg you not to admit your child to this inpatient psychiatric facility. The children will not be taught coping skills which was our understanding. The children will be watching tv, be ignored and undermined by nurses and psychiatrist, yelled by the nurses especially weekend crew, your children will be tested, and the nurses/psychiatrist will lie. Basic needs are not met (shower, bar soap, and clothes). It's like sabotaging a child and family who want help, and they are there for help, but help is neglected and not given. This experience will bring trauma to your child. Please transfer them out. If you believe in hell and you want to go to hell, visit North 2 (basement level), ESPECIALLY the weekends. Parents/caretakers, please advocate for your child. Please make sure their basic needs are met. Visit them continuously to see everyone's true colors. The nurses/psychiatrist put up a front to the parents/caretakers. They are fake. Take lots of notes from day 1 and include everyone you talk to and what they say and speak to an attorney if you have to. Saturday, Our daughter arrived at the nurse's station around 3:45pm on a Saturday. Please note the wing has both boys and girls. Our family drove to Westport, to see our daughter from 6-7pm. She had scrubs on. She was transfered with clothes: shirts and undergarments. During this visit we dropped off two pairs of clothes: sweatpants, shirt and more undergarments. Please note that they had given her shampoo, Toothpaste, and toothbrush. Sunday, She took a 2 minute shower because shower curtain kept falling off (velcro holding it up). The nurse's did not provide her with bar soap for body. Her bathroom did not have hand soap to wash her hands after using the bathroom. We dropped off 3 long sleeves shirts, shampoo and bar soap. Monday, Spoke to David at nurse's desk around 11:20am. Asked if he could give our daughter a bar soap to wash body. David said he would give her bar soap and shampoo. She finally had a decent shower. Tuesday, Dr. Carrero, the psyciatrist, told our daughter that they were waiting on her therapist and her psychiatrist to call back so we could move forward. Wednesday, I confirmed with our psychiatrist around 9:30am over the phone that St. Vincent's Behavioral Health or Dr. Carreros had not contacted them about our daughter. Around 10:19 am over the phone, our therapist confirmed no call from Vincent's Behavioral Health or Dr. Carreros. Dr. Carreros calls me later this day after talking to our therapist and psychiatrist. On this phone call, Dr. Carrero discusses antidepressants that have caused her side effects in the past. Dr. Carreros persists this 3 times on the phone. I repeated that I did not consent for her to be given anti-depressants. Dr. Carreros also talks about Family Meeting virtually or in person for tomorrow, Thursday. We decide to meet in person at 11am. I asked about a discharge date and Dr. Carreros refused to give me a date. Dr. Carrero twirled around my question and did not give it any importance. As if something would happen to our daughter and would prevent our daughter from being released any time soon. Please note that if I had said yes to the antidepressants, then our daughter would have had side effects that would have impacted her stay. No wonder some kids are there longer than they should, smh. I talk to my daughter and mention to her that Dr. Carreros is trying to give her antidepressants and to be aware of the medicine she takes. At 6 p.m., my husband drops off 2 sweat pants with no strings and a book. He visits her. The nurse's station gives our daughter her things immediately.

I stayed here on two separate occasions, once for 9 days, and once a year later for 14. On the second occasion, when I was in the ER for panic attacks, I specifically requested St. Vincent's. This place doesn't deserve… all these negative reviews. If you go there focused on yourself and bettering your mindset, you will find improvement. Just don't be rude to the staff and follow the schedules. The nurses really do care. Be honest with the psychiatrists, and your whole care team, and they will do what's best to make you feel back to being yourself. I was in a seemingly endless spiral of anxiety/OCD, which turned into acute psychosis. I have been getting better and better for the months since i've been out of there and I couldn't have graduated high school or found the new job that i'm starting soon without them. I owe my life to the wonderful people at St. Vincent's.

Very rude facility. Most times they just hang up the phone. I have a mother with possible dimentia where I need to call to verify things and I can't get a hold of them.my father fell in the facility at lunch because… they weren't watching him.

This place is a joke. My son is suffering from psychosis for a year. The hospital admitted him here, and in 10 days doctor Velez said he's good to go home. REALLY!!! Either she's to young and naive where she believes a… patient it's ok just to get out of there. Or she really doesn't care. It's so hard to find a good mental doctor. My son been out 2 weeks and I'm still dealing with his psychosis all because Dr. Velez thinks she's a miracle worker who can heal a patient in 10 days.

I spent time in St Vincent's (north 2) twice when I was 16. Now I graduated high school yearly and am going off to college with a great scholarship. I couldn't have done it without this place. They helped get me back in… the right headspace and realize that my world was not ending. I'll be honest, the doctors were not the best, but I think that's the case with most places like this. The RN's were the ones that did the heavy lifting. They helped me get through every bad day, and kept my spirits up on the good days.

NO STARS! if you care about your loved one don't ever send them or let them go here. they DO NOT CARE about the patient's wellbeing and will send someone on their way even though they've been having suicidal thoughts… and tampering with their medication every day. you will most likely leave in worse condition. please STAY AWAY from these extremely UNPROFESSIONAL people.

Hell naw