Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

Videos in BSL or ISL
Help with language translation
Help with reading or listening

What a way to treat patients

Posted By Pat394

"What a way to treat patients"

About: Community Mental Health / Community Mental Health Team (Adult)

(as a service user),

It's very frustrating to learn that I have been accepted by the consultant psychiatrist for assessment for ADHD but the health board who have had me on a waiting list since September 2023 failed to communicate that Ayrshire and Arran Health Board have placed my referral on hold as they have no available service.

This isn't just frustrating it's adding to the everyday challenges and has just wiped out my last piece of hope. What a way to treat patients.

No information available and no service to help. The treatment I have received has been despicable from the Adult Community MH Team. 

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Lynda Ralston, Governance Officer, North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership yesterday
Lynda Ralston
Governance Officer,
North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

Governance Officer for North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership.

Submitted on 05/06/2025 at 10:04
Published on Care Opinion at 13:19

Thank you for reaching out to share your experience. I am Debbie Browne, Deputy Medical Director for NHS Ayrshire and Arran. We sincerely regret the frustration and distress caused by the delay in your referral process. We understand how difficult it is to navigate these challenges, and we acknowledge that clear communication is essential in ensuring patients feel supported throughout their journey.

At present, Ayrshire and Arran Health Board faces significant capacity constraints in its ADHD assessment services, which regrettably has resulted in a hold on routine referrals. We recognize that this has caused undue distress, and we sincerely apologise for the lack of clarity surrounding the status of your referral. This is not the level of service we strive to provide, and we are committed to improving transparency and access to care.

We appreciate your patience and understand that the uncertainty may feel overwhelming. While we work toward solutions, we encourage you to reach out to NEST, a local NHS service for people with, or suspected to have, a neurodevelopmental difference such as ADHD. They offer valuable information, advice, and guidance. You can reach them at info@nest.scot or visit www.nest.scot.

We will ensure your is taken into account as we continue to review and improve our processes. We deeply regret the challenges you have faced and appreciate your patience as we work toward a resolution.

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by Pat394 (a service user)

Thank you for your response. I have been in touch with NEST and joined an 8 week course on ADHD delivered by Procrastination Station CIC through Nest.

The problem is YOU are not doing assessments and am obviously therfore not getting any treatment and that is having a profound effect on my daily living and my professional life.

I need the assesment and support and treatment, placing my referral on hold is doing nothing and in effect is placing me at risk and danger. The NHS service is failing me. I can not continue to cope and work and fulfill my duties at work without a clear understanding and treatment which needs assessed first.

The communication has been disgusting and I have a live complaint which I have requested to go to stage two and fully intend to purse this to the ombudsman.

Im crying out for help, I've made a complaint and I've been in touch with two MSPs and the scottish parliament to raise how poorly I am being treated by a distinct uncaring and unsupportive NHS Board. You are failing me. You absolutely are, this is putting me at risk

Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k