"As a carer I was invisible"

I was caring for someone with bi polar disorder and borderline personalities disorder,

I was the main carer, with lasting power of attorney.

I visited the local mental health team and spoke with one of his workers and explained how the rapid cycling was affecting the person I was caring for. I asked them to visit and assess him. He refused,

Later that day, the situation got worse, I called the Rapid Response Team a number of times and they refused to attend.

This resulted in a service user taking his own life.

The Humber Mental Health Trust failed this person and me as a carer, and the whole family.

I was told initially that an investigation would take place, and I would be involved, I was then told they 'assumed' I was next of kin, but now, I wouldn't be included in the investigation.

The director of operations 'assumed' and made decisions without looking at the Lorenzo system, and so did the Rapid Response Team.

I believe this fatality could have been avoided if the professionals would have visited. Yet it seemed to me they ignored the risk and relapse plan, and care plan.

As a carer I was invisible and I remain invisible. I feel like I do not Matter.

I have learned the services often don't come in life, do not come in death, and do not come after death.

They will refuse now to comment, and justify this by stating they are operating within the boundaries of the law, which is correct, however, I believe they failed to act within the law when it mattered most.

They will conclude that lessons will be learned, however, I suspect the learning will not be put into practice.