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Care Opinion

Referrals

Posted By HiddenContrast

"Referrals"

About: Somerset NHS Foundation Trust / Adult community mental health

(as a service user),

For a long time now I've been batted from pillar to post trying to find help. Ongoing help through my GP with drugs that didn't work - I ended up taking my month's prescription of antidepressants in one night to just try and feel something. I didn't.

I get referred to talking therapies, but in the initial assessment they can't help me.

I got referred to the district mental health team who after a few phone consultations arranged an appointment with a psychiatrist. One appointment that seemed promising, and then due to missing 2 calls in the space of 10 minutes - and no attempts otherwise to contact me - I was discharged right before Christmas. I chased this as I wanted to understand why, and managed to get another appointment with the psychiatrist again. I stressed my concerns, and after one meeting and a delayed response I was recommended to the Mendip Mental Health service for counselling, as it was suggested to be the best approach.

Again, one assessment conversation, and then a week later I'm told to self-refer to Relate for counselling help...

How does any of this actually help?! I'm surprised I've made it this far but now I just give up. What is the point of any of these services when I feel like they've all just sent me away to someone else.

My mental health has been deteriorating for many years now, and has only accelerated in the last couple of years. I'm not at work because of it, I'm not well because of it, but that doesn't matter any more. Next time, someone please step up and help.

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Responses

Response from PA to Service Director, Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Directorate, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust 3 years ago
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 12/03/2021 at 15:35
Published on Care Opinion at 15:35

Thank you for posting your experience and we’re sorry that it has been frustrating and not what you were hoping.

Your message has been passed onto the Service manager for the Mendip area to offer a more detailed response, unfortunately he’s not in the office today so will be unable to respond until next week.

In the meantime, should you require support please do contact Mindline on 01823 276892 who are available 24/7 should you need.

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Response from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust 3 years ago
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 22/03/2021 at 09:47
Published on Care Opinion at 09:47

I am sorry to hear you felt your experience of mental health services did not meet your needs. I am also very sorry to hear you are experiencing a continued decline in your mental health and wellbeing. Given what you have reported about your current mental health my immediate advice to you would be to seek another referral to community mental health service through your GP. However I would fully understand why you might not wish to do this given you previous experience of the community mental health team. Therefore as an alternative I would be very happy to discuss your experience with you or respond to a letter if you would like to call or write to the operational service manager for Mendip Mental health services.

Lee Baker, Operational Service Manager
Mendip Community Mental Health Service

01749 836600

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Update posted by HiddenContrast (a service user)

Thank you both for replying.

I think I need to extend my thoughts further - whilst I'm grateful for the first reply, there has been no contact from the service, summing up my experience quite well.

With the second response, thank you for your reply Lee. I've been unable to find an address, email or physical, with which to write a letter, and I'm not comfortable speaking on the phone about this currently as I'm doing a lot of chasing already of various different organisations and I am frustrated and tired to have to add another.

I'm not going through a GP referral again - everything has been ticking boxes so far and it feels too clear I've not met anyone's requirements for help and I don't want to have to go through all that rejection yet again.

If you're happy to provide an email or means to contact other than phone I shall do so.

Response from PA to Service Director, Mental Health & Learning Disabilities Directorate, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust 3 years ago
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 06/04/2021 at 14:41
Published on Care Opinion on 07/04/2021 at 09:38

Dear Hidden Contrast,

I'm very sorry that address details were not provided in Lee's response - Lee can be contacted by writing to:

Mendip Community Mental Health Team
The Bridge
Priory Health Park
Glastonbury Road
Wells
BA5 1TJ

Alternatively if you would prefer to send an email then this can be sent for Lee's attention to our Patient Advice and Liaison Service: PALS@SomersetFT.nhs.uk

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