At 6pm i called an ambulance for my 21 yr old son who told me he had taken an overdose the night before and that he was hearing voices. He also has a history of poor mental health. The ambulance staff were amazing with him. He was very embarrassed and reluctant to go to the hospital but begging for help. They reassured him no one would even know why he was at hospital other than the staff .
On arrival he went into triage where from behind a curtain to my horror one member of staff shouted "are you still suicidal" i was in complete shock as was the paramedic who put their head through the curtain to remark on this comment.
We saw the mental health nurse after a couple of hours who promptly made us aware there was no beds available for my son in any mental health facility even though my son was begging to be admitted. They said he could stay in Wigan overnight where he would see the RAID team the morning after.
At 18.30pm approx the following day he was seen by 2 harsh nurses whom i can only describe as arrogant and cruel. They asked him what he wanted he explained Help and their response was what do u want us to do... i said he needed help with his drinking and the voices let alone suicide attempt needed serious attention. They said the only beds available were down south away from me his mother or take the home care option where someone will come out the following day. He and i as his mother felt completely abandoned and let down by the system. Cant see the care he gets from here on being any better . hope im wrong. I had to stay with my suicidal 21 year old son all night last night to make sure he is still with me today. All i can say is this lack of care can't have a good effect on the suicide rate. Shame on you Wigan Infirmary!
"Let down by the system"
About: North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust / Emergency ambulance North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust Emergency ambulance Bolton BL1 5DD Royal Albert Edward Infirmary / Accident and emergency Royal Albert Edward Infirmary Accident and emergency Wigan WN1 2NN Wigan Infirmary / A & E Liason (Adults) Wigan Infirmary A & E Liason (Adults) WN1 2NN
Posted by letdownbythesystem (as ),
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