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Waiting two years to get help for my mental health issues

Posted By MissEB

"Waiting two years to get help for my mental health issues"

About: Crisis Mental Health / Single point of access team (SPA) & Emotional Wellbeing Service (EWS)

(as the patient),

In early 2019 I asked a GP about getting referred for a mental health assessment to receive a formal diagnosis and get relative treatment.

Later that year, I underwent an assessment for Autism (having been on the waiting list for two years) and was then referred for further assessment for ADHD, this was in October 2019.

In December I reached out to the SPA (single point of access) to try and garner an estimate of how long i’ll likely be waiting to be assessed, only to be told that I was only on the waiting list for ADHD and nothing else, multiple emails were ignored and those that I got replies to got vague answers that didn’t answer my questions.

I reached out again in June 2020 during a mental health crisis only to receive the same treatment, emails ignored and questions not answered. I then reached out to mind who put me in touch with Sheffield Advocacy Hub who have helped me figure out my options, helping me draft letters etc.

In December 2020 I sent a letter of complaint to Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust to which I received a letter of acknowledgement in January stating that someone will be in touch by phone to discuss my letter/my experience - I am still waiting on this phone call. My advocate has followed up on this for me several times to no avail.

I’m extremely disappointed in the service I have received overall. From being removed from the waiting list for assessment, having my emails simply looking for answers and clarification ignored/dismissed and now repeatedly told that “someone will be in touch soon” but I’m still waiting. I’ve been waiting almost two years to get help for mental health issues that have only worsened over time.

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Responses

Response from Lisa Ryles, Nurse Senior Practitioner, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust 3 years ago
Lisa Ryles
Nurse Senior Practitioner,
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 09/03/2021 at 11:02
Published on Care Opinion at 14:51

I wish to offer sincere apologies for any distress caused by the experience you have had whilst open to our team. The past 2 years have been extremely challenging particularly for those waiting for an assessment/diagnosis with the Single Point of Access/Emotional Wellbeing Service. We are aware that a large number of people were waiting for an unacceptable length of time to be seen for the specialist assessment. It did take a long time for this to be addressed.

One of the difficulties we had was that there was a lack of medics with the specialist knowledge needed in order to make a diagnosis of this nature. The team were relying on locum medical staff for a long period of time.

Normally we would seek to communicate regularly with clients waiting, in order to provide any rationale as to plans in place for assessment and treatment and to provide reassurance, however on this occasion this does not appear to have happened which I am very sorry about. This clearly caused you distress.

I am disappointed to hear that you did not receive an adequate response when you have contacted our team. Particularly in June 2020 when you were experiencing a mental health crisis. Our SPA duty team would normally respond to people experiencing a mental health crisis to offer intervention and support.

I can see that you have made a formal complaint to the Trust. This will highlight any areas which we need to make improvements however I can see that communication is an area that you have identified is lacking.

I can say that since your initial referral there is now a Specialist assessment clinic which has been set up by the Sheffield Autism and Neurodevelopment team (SAANS). This specifically deals with diagnostic Assessment for ADHD. However you feel there are other issues which have not been dealt with in terms of your mental health.

I will contact our complaints department and alert them to this post in order for them to make contact with you. I agree with you that, this does need investigating formally as, if there are improvements to be made and lessons to be learned then we have to be open to addressing issues raised.

If either yourself, or your advocate wish to discuss this further with myself I am more than happy to attempt to address things.

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