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"Not taking responsibility"

About: Rotherham Hospital / Accident and emergency Rotherham Swallownest Court Inpatient Unit

(as a carer),

The person I care for has been under mental health services for over 30 years and their trust is broken due to abuse of power years ago leaving them with trauma around mental health service.

They have a diagnosis of schizophrenia, border line personality disorder & autism and is a very vulnerable adult.

Recently they were told they were on an emergency waiting list for a bed at swallownest.

I spoke with a staff member from the team and was informed they are no longer on that.

They had been left to deal with suicidal idealisation for weeks with only a phone call a day.

They did not have any physical health medication or mental health medication for over a week and hasn't been mentally fit enough to sort them out as they were really struggling with voices and hallucinations.

After 4 hours of waiting in rotherham hospital i we spoke with a mental health nurse who thought it suitable to discharge them home when I felt they were unsafe and not fit to look after themselves.

After 9 hours here supporting them, I asked the reception area a few questions and was met with a sarcastic comment of them saying that they don't see why I have to stay here with them.

Considering this staff member knows no history of them at all or the situation I found the tone rather sharp and judgemental.

This upset me a lot considering I am here with genuine care for a friend suffering with paranoid delusions and really not well. 

I realise these staff members are stressed and work very hard but that's no excuse to be cold and callus and egotistical 

So belittling.

They're taking no responsibility for his care just like swallownest haven't and there is no wonder he doesn't trust staff when your met with such ego and lack of genuine care for patients.

Where is the help for people really struggling with mental health ? 

If the proper care and time was given in the first place people would get better improve and people would grow.

Everything's a conveyor belt.

Genuine care takes time, determination and love.

After nearly a day waiting they were admitted to swallownest.

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Responses

Response from Jack Rowley, Team Manager, Hospital Liaison Team, RDaSH 5 days ago
Jack Rowley
Team Manager, Hospital Liaison Team,
RDaSH
Submitted on 14/05/2025 at 16:09
Published on Care Opinion on 15/05/2025 at 07:42


Thank you for sharing your concerns regarding your recent experience with the Hospital Liaison Team. I am very sorry your experience was not positive, and you felt as though those looking after the person you care for did not take responsibility for the situation. It’s not our intention to provide a service that leaves patients and their families and carers feeling dissatisfied and helpless.

I would encourage you to contact our Patient Experience team if you would like to further discuss your concerns. You can contact the team using the following details:

rdash.pals.email@nhs.net

However, if you would like to speak directly with myself as the team manager, then I’m happy for us to do so. If you would like to do this then you can contact SPA on 0800 804 8999 and ask for the Rotherham Hospital Liaison Team Manager. SPA can be contacted 24 hours a day 7 days a week, but my working hours are Monday – Friday between the hours of 09:00 and 17:00.

Once again, I am truly sorry you and the person you care for have not had a positive experience with the team.

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