Earlier this month I was referred by my GP to the psychiatry service in Leeds. A lady from the hospital called me at work before Christmas. She didn't introduce herself, she wasn't friendly and she proceeded to assess me out of the service (presumably because they are understaffed). When you feel depressed it’s hard to assert yourself with someone in authority. You want to feel cared for and that people want to help you; I felt quite the opposite. She told me that she would speak to her team and get back to me. She never did.
I week later I received a letter from the Leeds Primary Care Mental Health team (IAPT) inviting me to call them to make an appointment ‘if you do not contact us within 14 days you will be discharged’. Seriously, who are these people? Do they have any understanding of depression? I didn’t call, why would I?
I’ve had an awful Christmas and in desperation I called the service today. The message I was greeted with was that there was no service at the current time. I can only assume that they are short staffed over Christmas. Not only that but there was no information about when they might start running again and no details of who I should contact if I was desperate (like the Samaritans, for example).
I’m sick of hearing politicians and healthcare managers telling me how important mental health is. My experience as a patient is that the current service is unwelcoming, understaffed and under-resourced. It’s time to stop the lip service and start making real investments in services for people with mental ill health.
"mental health in Leeds"
About: Specialist services / Primary care mental health service Specialist services Primary care mental health service
Posted by rising sun (as ),
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See more responses from Clare Wyke
Update posted by rising sun (the patient) 9 years ago