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"Trying to speak with my psychiatrist"

About: Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT) / Ballymena CMHT

(as the patient),

So roughly about a month ago I was experiencing extreme depression and anxiety over my excess skin so I had rung them up and my doctor wasn’t there and couldn’t talk. They would pass on the message anyway.

I left it a couple of weeks later. I was offered a house and I was extremely nervous about moving, and about my dog who was bought for my anxiety as they weren't going to let me bring him! So anyway I rung and again my psychiatrist wasn’t there.

I explained to the person on the phone that I really wanted to speak to someone regarding the issue. She reassured me and told me he’d get back to me.

So Wednesday came, it was the day of the viewing. I didn’t know what to accept it or what to do. Anyway the viewing went ok and thankfully I wasn’t asked if I wanted to accept, I could sleep on it! So I got in the car and I said I’m going to ring to see if I can speak to the doctor.

So I got reception and I asked was he there? The same story “no he’s training and in and out of meetings.” At this point I had enough, I explained that I depend on my doctor and this service just wasn’t good enough and that I was taking things further. It shouldn’t take a month or more to speak to someone. Let’s just say I’m glad I’m not in the situation I was a few years back where my mental state just wasn’t there.

And then to finish it off the receptionist with a happy tone ended the conversation with “you do that, have a nice day” and by about 20 minutes later the doctor was on the phone and said he was off annual leave.

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Responses

Response from Leigh Morgan, Engagement Manager, Involvement Team, Northern Health and Social Care Trust 3 years ago
Leigh Morgan
Engagement Manager, Involvement Team,
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Submitted on 28/08/2020 at 14:49
Published on Care Opinion at 14:56


picture of Leigh Morgan

Dear cjd543,

My name is Leigh and I am the facilitator for Care Opinion here in the Northern Trust.

Firstly, thank you so much for taking the time to feed back about your experience whilst using our services. It helps us to learn and improve.
As the facilitator for Care Opinion, it's my job to ensure your story makes it to the right staff. I have shared your story with the Head of Service and will have a response from them as soon as possible.

Thank you again for sharing your story,

Leigh

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Response from Heather McCarroll, Head of Service, Mental Health & Disability Services, Northern Health & Social Care Trust 3 years ago
Heather McCarroll
Head of Service, Mental Health & Disability Services,
Northern Health & Social Care Trust
Submitted on 28/08/2020 at 16:46
Published on Care Opinion on 31/08/2020 at 09:06


Dear cjd543

My name is Heather McCarroll and I am Head of Service for Adult Community Mental Health Services.

Thank you for getting in contact and sharing your story with us.

It is unfortunate that you were unable to access the doctor for an opinion when you contacted the CMHT, it is reassuring that the doctor did return your call on his return from leave.

I have shared your story with the team.

If you feel you would like to discuss this further do not hesitate to contact the Team Leader for the CMHT.

Regards

Heather

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