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Left dealing with my emotions and thoughts alone, again.

Posted By norights

"Left dealing with my emotions and thoughts alone, again."

About: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

(as a service user),

In February I requested Reasonable Adjustments under the Equality Act, this being that I only have one health professional in any appointments. Even though the was accepted by the manager, there has been a few attempts by this team to get 2 professionals in appointments. These actions from the professionals causes me to be distressed and worsening of my mental health.

Anyway, I had an appointment this week and out of the blue was told that they cannot help. The CPN thinks we are not making progress, which is partially right as I don't trust them after they tried to come into the psychiatrist appointment. This was even after I mentioned the request for Reasonable Adjustments, also, they change the reasons 3 times as why they needed to be there. I was informed to seek counselling elsewhere as they don't offer that service. The problem is that less than 3 weeks ago I was prescribed new medication.  By not having a CPN this is leaving me to deal with my medication myself. As no one can say when I will see the Psychiatrist again. The service says if I needed help in the future I would automatically be seen, unfortunately I don't believe that.

The service has mentioned a few times (in a roundabout way) that because of my request for Reasonable Adjustments that is why they don't know how to help me.

Also they know how I am living in my bedroom and have no desire to get out of bed. Do not get me wrong, I know what I should be doing but mentally don't see the reason for doing anything. Technically they say I am not suicidal, although, they know have thoughts of going to bed an not waking up.

How can this NHS trust not accept that I require Reasonable Adjustments? I been a patient for over 10 years, they know my medical history.

How can they just let me go without warning and leave me without help? Especially with new medication.

How will they know if the medication is working effectively? Even if I got an appointment booked in for 3 months time, at least I know, that I may get support then.

Will I have to request again, for Reasonable Adjustments? If I needed to use this service in the future. 

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Responses

Response from Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust 6 years ago
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 09/11/2017 at 14:06
Published on nhs.uk at 14:33

Thank you for raising this concern and we are sorry that we have not met your expectations.

It is disappointing that you feel we have not met your requested reasonable adjustments and I apologise if this has been your experience of our service.

We invite you to discuss this further with the manager of the service or if you would prefer, to raise a formal complaint, you can contact us:

• In writing by letter: The Complaints Department, St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne,NE3 3XT

• By email to: complaints@ntw.nhs.uk

• By telephone on 0191 245 6672

Update posted by norights (a service user)

I feel that the complaints team are just as much to blame as the CPN. As I was dealing with the complaints team via email about the appointment.

I explained everything, to the complaints team staff member, as to why I did not want 2 health professionals in the room. Yet I felt that they continued, with the CPN, to bully and force me to accept that this is their way of doing things no matter how stressful it is for me. As I said previously the CPN changed their reasons to be there 3 times. I specifically asked for the complaints team to contact me by email as I wanted proof of what was said. Because in the past the complaints team told me one thing to my face and completely changed the outcome in the letter. I also spoken to a manager, in the past, who was more concerned about how their members of staff feel when I make a complaint and they were not at all sympathetic to my health issues and feelings. They made me feel worthless and stupid because I have not managed to make any progress in overcoming my health issues. Although I try everyday to overcome my problems.

As I mentioned before I have to deal with my emotions without any help, this includes dealing with self harm and death thoughts (which the team know about). The medication is not as effective as I think it should be. I have had my advocate contact the CPN but they failed to contact them back, also my GP has contacted this service and I have not heard anything from them. They have just ignored all contact about me.

If I get any appointments, where they will not accept the Reasonable Adjustments, I will contact the complaints team. Unfortunately because of previous involvement with them, I don't have much confidence in them helping me resolve the issue.

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