"Bolton Division Mental Health Services"

I have found this mental health trust appalling especially the standard of care offered in Bolton.

I experienced major errors every time with referrals not being done or followed through. Staff making assumptions despite the fact they have not seen or spoke. to me but seem to assume based on an ancient diagnosis years ago I am ok and the crisis I am experiencing will pass. Time and time again I read stories or hear from people whose care has been compromised with this trust based on their diagnosis.

My own care is simply non-existent. Referrals I must chase because staff don’t check to see if the referral they have sent has reached the relevant team. I mean how difficult would implementing something like this be. Then it becomes clear staff who have treated me previously have decided, despite not speaking to me, that I do not qualify for their support, and it is only when the other staff member who assessed and did the referral pushes I was finally assessed but fobbed off.

I was given no information about who to contact in a crisis, especially now Bolton has lost The Sanctuary service. It has been like a minefield trying to work out what to do, who to call etc. MDT meetings are held to discuss me, but don’t involve me as the service user when the service user should be involved because let’s face it, it is my care and therefore I should be involved, especially if I am capable of handling such a meeting. GMMH plug on twitter how good they are, staff away days, training days etc. But what I see behind the scenes seems a chaotic mess!