Even in the middle of the night there was always a nurse available to come to my simply furnished, but elegant bedroom (all have tellies) and hold my hand and say that I would, she was certain, get better. Many of its hospitals are housed in fine listed buildings.Although the Priory Hospital has only recently come into public notice thanks to the nation's obsession with celebrity, it is, in fact, London's oldest private psychiatric hospital. It has been in continuous operation since 1872, when Dr William Wood, one of the first modern psychiatrists, moved his patients from Kensington to Roehampton to benefit from the calm atmosphere and clean air of the countryside.On its website the group states that its overall vision is: "To bring hope, healing and sanctuary to all the patients, pupils and residents who need our services." Even if the worst thing to happen to them is having taken part in a celebrity reality show.'There's no better place to be when you feel that life isn't worth living any more' It's a few years since I was admitted to the Priory. I had two bad bouts of depression and found myself a guest at the hospital in Roehampton, a huge, white castellated building, set in a wide lawn. It now now includes 15 psychiatric hospitals, seven schools, two therapeutic community assessment services and five brain injury and rehabilitation units. Dr Patel, then head of Westminster Health Care, bought the group in 2000 from an American concern which had owned it for more than 20 years Since then, the group has added 11 sites.
There are quite a few areas where they are the only serious presence and they receive a substantial number of NHS referrals because there is no state provision, such as the special schools for treating children with disorders and the clinics dealing with rehabilitation for people suffering from brain injuries. It is believed that around half the group's total business comes from patients passed from the state sector.William Lang, of the healthcare analysts Lang and Buisson, said: "Although it attracts attention, the celebrity side of the business is only a small part of the group. It has expanded the bread-and-butter side of its operations and likes to stress its work with young people suffering from conditions such as autism and Asperger's Syndrome, along with its clinics dealing with neurological rehabilitation. The bulk of these patients - as well as a small number at Roehampton - are NHS referrals. But people tend to go to the Priory as a result of word of mouth recommendations for the most popular doctors and consultants.''Although most celebrity patients at Roehampton will fund themselves, the majority being treated there and at the group's other hospitals will have some kind of private health insurance, usually related to their professional capacity.Recently the group has launched advertising campaigns in national newspapers to target high-flying City workers suffering from alcohol problems - most of whom will have some kind of private health insurance. The Ministry of Defence last year signed a three-year, £5m contract with the group to treat service personnel.While celebrities and City executives are the most high-profile element of the Priory's business, the group makes the bulk of its money in other ways. "Many GPs in west London are angry with the Priory because they say it doesn't get results.''He added: "I think most people would actually get as good a deal going to one of the Betty Ford or other clinics in the United States - like Naomi Campbell has - rather than be under the spotlight at the Priory.
I think the place is a bit second rate, frankly: some of the carpets are worn and the paint is peeling. And the staff there are like Harley Street - some of the very best people in their fields are working there, and some of the very worst.''Another issue, he said, was the recidivism rate of patients. "It's definitely not a health farm and I would say that the ambience is more three star than five star. The "It" girl Lady Isabella Hervey was treated for bulimia, the television presenter Gail Porter and the stepdaughter of actor Pierce Brosnan all checked in.For a basic rate of around £650 a day, the modern British celebrity will get access to some of the best specialists in treating addictions and stress problems in a plush, hotel-like environment, where many of their whims - apart from those relating to the finest wines or lines, of course - are catered for.While the media likes to stress the luxurious nature of the Priory, the reality is not quite the same.