Text size

Theme

Language

"Mental health support"

About: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust / Adult mental health Mental Health Matters / Talking Matters Northumberland

(as the patient),

I've had issues for years that came to a head a couple of years ago to do with compulsivity, spending on silly projects, collecting to the point I have no space left anywhere and I don't really speak to or know anyone.

I initially saw a private councillor as I wanted to avoid the GP if possible, they referred me to some charities, who then referred me to the GP (they said a case like mine needs a medical professional).

The GP referred me to talking therapies.

I had a bit of a breakdown while waiting the 9 months for this to happen (after being told it would be 6 weeks by talking therapies) and came back to the GP.

The GP referred my for possible bipolar.

This referral response for bipolar asked for the mental health practitioner to get involved to gather some supporting information.

The mental health practitioner chose to ignore this and was dismissive of most of my issues, but happy to talk about unrelated things like depression (which I have, but not why I went to see the GP). Any depression is cause by my issue, so helping me with those is the solution to that.

The mental health practitioner referred me to another charity, I queried that advice but they were adamant they would see me and help.

Talking therapies wouldn't really address any of my issues (I don't think they really deal with long term stuff, the GP should know that before making you wait 9 months) and were dismissive of most of them, they also told me to read through the charity website and book myself in for counselling, I pointed out the section on the website that explained who this service is for and asked if they were sure they would see me, but they were also were adamant they would help me.

Between the mental health practitioner and talking therapies I have ended up being referred for ADHD and ASD (I have no idea what this has to do with my issues, or how it will help me deal with them, despite having an appointment just to clarify, I'm still not sure other than being told we need to prove it's not these things).

I had an appointment with the charity, who said they couldn't help and referred me back to the GP (I cant really describe how I felt at that point, it should never have happened), they sent a letter to the GP asking that I be referred to the NHS eating disorder service.

The GP said the NHS eating disorder service probably wouldn't see me because I don't seem to fit the particular stereotype that they exclusively accept, and implied that I may be pointed back to talking therapies?

I have no idea what I'm supposed to do now, clearly nobody I've spoken to has digested anything I've said.

I decided a couple of weeks ago that all of this was so demeaning I really do have to try and figure it all out myself come what may. A couple of weeks ago I had a routine dental check up and the dentist (who has already patched my teeth up several times due to the wear from the eating problem), sent me straight home because my front teeth have become so thin and fragile that I would need a longer appointment to try and repair them first.

I don't think I express myself very well as to how much all these things are affecting me so maybe get discounted.

I've tried to be patient and positive through all this despite going though some continuing pretty awful stuff, but being sent back to essentially the same people who sent me to the GP in the first place after 2 years of nothing meaningful that I can think of, who then sent me back to the GP, who then plans to send me back to talking therapies after that has already proven not to be useful.

I feel more like a ping pong ball than a patient. 

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

Responses

Response from Paul Sams, Feedback and Outcomes Lead, Commissioning & Quality Assurance Team, Cumbria, Nirthumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust 2 days ago
Paul Sams
Feedback and Outcomes Lead, Commissioning & Quality Assurance Team,
Cumbria, Nirthumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

I look after all things feedback and outcomes. Working towards everyone knowing they can feedback and explaining what we do with that feedback.

Submitted on 04/09/2025 at 11:33
Published on Care Opinion at 11:58


picture of Paul Sams

Hi Charliegolf,

I am really sorry to read how difficult accessing help has been for you. I can only speak on behalf of my Trust and be clear, this is not what we would want for anyone approaching us for support.

It is clear reading this that you have a good timeline of where you signposted and what was or wasn't offered. I would suggest going back to your GP with this timeline and be clear about what you still need support with. I suggest this as they have the ability to refer to the appropriate service.

Secondly, if you feel Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust has specifically let you down or fallen short, then making a formal complaint might be the best way to go. I suggest this because the person handling the complaint will be able to listen to you and speak to the services/clinicians involved and triangulate that with any notes or reports and be clear if any part of your care fell short of our own expectations of that service.

If you feel you need to make a complaint or comment to the Trust, you can do so:

By post

Complaints Department
St. Nicholas Hospital
Gosforth
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE3 3XT

By email

complaints@cntw.nhs.uk

By phone

Call us on 0191 245 6672

Again, can I just say how sorry I am that this has been your experience at a time when you sought support.

Paul - Feedback & Outcomes Lead

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k