Vulnerable patients who visit A&E in Bucks for treatment after self-harming are not receiving appropriate emotional support, an investigation has found.

Health watchdog, Healthwatch Bucks, teamed up with mental health charity, Buckinghamshire Mind, to investigate the treatment patients receive at Stoke Mandeville hospital in Aylesbury.

The investigation found that treatment provided  to patients who have self-harmed fails to comply with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

In-depth interviews were carried out with eight patients, during which some said they felt like they were being judged by medical staff when seeking treatment for their injuries.

One woman said she was told she was “attention seeking” by a member of staff, according to the health watchdog’s report.

She said: “When they found out I had self-harmed they said I was ‘attention seeking’ and that made me feel worse.

“They put me in a gown. I asked for a blanket, but they refused.

“The nurse was really nice on day shift and let me talk to her and the night staff weren’t interested. The staff made me feel like I am doing something wrong and I am misbehaving.”

Despite NICE guidelines stating patients should offered a “safe and supportive” space while they wait for treatment, none of the people interviewed said they were given the choice.

However, patients praised the support of the psychiatric in-reach liaison service, which provides support to people with mental illnesses, with some saying staff were friendly and found their advice helpful.

The report states that, overall, people were “positive” about their experiences at A&E and were happy with their clinical treatment, however they would like a “more caring” approach from staff.

The report states: “Overall, people were positive about what happened at A&E. However, sometimes they wanted a more caring approach as well as clinical help.

“People were happy with their clinical treatment and pain relief. However, they did not feel they had a choice about their treatment, who treated them, or where they waited.

“Most people were not aware of getting information about confidentiality or consent.”

Healthwatch Bucks published a series of recommendations for Bucks Healthcare NHS Trust (BHT), Oxford Health NHS Trust (BHT) and Buckinghamshire Urgent Care Alliance, advising them on how to improve treatment.

Recommendations included making private areas available for patients to discuss private issues and ensure staff are given guidance on how to provide caring treatment.

BHT said a new separate room for mental health patients will be built when Stoke Mandeville A&E is refurbished.

In the meantime patients will be provided with a quieter place to sit.

OHT said training is offered to people working in the emergency department, while the guidelines on treating patients who have self-harmed have been shared with staff.

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has been contacted for further comment.