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Lack of empathy

Posted By JS5311

"Lack of empathy"

About: Mental Health Services / Adult Mental Health Services University Hospital Monklands / Critical Care Unit University Hospital Monklands / Emergency Department

(as a service user),

After suffering from severe mental health issues for some time, I tried to take my life. If it hadn’t it been for the excellent medical treatment I received from emergency services and ICU staff I would likely be dead. 

I was assessed by the PLNS service at Monklands university hospital whilst still a patient in intensive care. The nurses that assessed me possessed absolutely no empathy, were incredibly dismissive and overall made me feel exactly how I felt when I tried to take my life only the day prior. 

I have been assessed by nurses from this team on many occasions and I feel  they showed a genuine disregard for life. They have told me that I have the capacity to choose if I want to end my life, which in my opinion is entirely fundamentally incompatible with the values supposed to be upheld by nursing and medical staff. 

I think it is time for change, as in my view nurses who do not value human life should have no place in our NHS. 

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Responses

Response from Jennifer Montgomery, Improvement Coordinator, Quality Directorate, NHS Lanarkshire 9 months ago
Jennifer Montgomery
Improvement Coordinator, Quality Directorate,
NHS Lanarkshire

Operational Lead for Care Opinion in NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 06/08/2024 at 17:15
Published on Care Opinion at 17:15

picture of Jennifer Montgomery

Dear JS5311,

Thank you for sharing your experience of University Hospital Monklands, Critical Care Unit and Emergency Department.

I am so sorry to hear about your experience and of how you were feeling before coming to us. I really hope that you get support and begin to feel better. I am very disappointed to hear about the PLNS service you received an assessment from. I would have expected staff in this role to be more empathetic towards patients. I have asked that the Mental Health team respond to this story.

I will ensure your kind words are passed to the emergency department and critical care unit teams who I am sure will get a boost from hearing your feedback.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

Kind Regards,

Jenni

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Response from Susan Cochrane, Service Manager - Mental Health, North Lanarkshire Health & Social Care Partnership 9 months ago
Susan Cochrane
Service Manager - Mental Health,
North Lanarkshire Health & Social Care Partnership

Submitted on 09/08/2024 at 10:51
Published on Care Opinion at 11:57

Dear JS5311,

Thank you very much for sharing your experience on care opinion, I can appreciate how distressing this must be for you.

I hope your recovery from your recent hospital admission is improving, and you have received the correct supports.

I am disappointed to hear that you experienced a lack of empathy from the PLNS service, and I would like time to investigate this fully.

It would be really helpful if you could get in touch with me on 01698 366992, to discuss your concerns.

This will allow me to explore the details and address this with the relevant staff members to improve things in the future.

I look forward to hearing from you.

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