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"NHS Tayside Mental Health Services"

About: Community Mental Health General practices in Tayside Ninewells Hospital / Neurology Perth Royal Infirmary / Pain management

(as a service user),

The Perth City Mental Health Team has not recruited a permanent psychiatrist in the past 3+ years. I have met locums showing varying degrees of competency, some of whom wouldn't even bother reading notes resulting in painful conversations being repeated several times.

My mental health has previously been so poor that I was hospitalised, yet once again I am not under the care of a psychiatrist, the most recent locum has left part way doing an assessment and I wasn't even told. I was sent a tokenistic letter advising of their departure, which conveniently arrived after they had left.

I have received an autism diagnosis in the past year, and am trying to be assessed for adhd medication - for a number of reasons, anyhow, the fact that this has been dropped with no plan in place just shows a complete lack of understanding in relation to autism, and a disregard for my wellbeing. 

I am also awaiting tests / consultation for various issues, yet despite them all being with the same health board nobody can review them together to get a full view of the issues. In addition I have previously raised the issue that I have requested an mri scan but this has been refused.

I have so many health issues that I cannot see why it is not more cost effective to do this.

I'm to be seen by neurology (which I've been waiting around 6months for) - I'm assuming scan pictures would be if benefit to them?

I'm under review for the pain clinic, presumably this would also be of benefit?

I absolutely understand the NHS is stretched, but there's an issue of efficiency here - I'm asking for something which is going to improve my anxiety symptoms and potentially discover what  doctors have been unable to resolve to date. This will reduce the time I need to spend seeing the GP, specialists and hopefully the pain clinic. I am absolutely convinced I have some form of cancer but nobody will help. I don't understand how I can be ill constantly but just keep getting told its fibromyalgia. 

Fibromyalgia isn't a progressive condition, and there's meant to be flare ups. Not persistent illness and deterioration.

I feel absolutely helpless. I'm in love regarding my mental health. My GP can't help because it's too complex, and I'm in a vicious circle with my mental health impacting on pain and vice versa. Apologies for the ramble. I'm just so distressed, and writing it down is giving me the tiniest bit of comfort.

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Responses

Response from NHS Tayside 2 years ago
Submitted on 03/08/2021 at 11:02
Published on Care Opinion on 04/08/2021 at 09:09


Many thanks for taking the time to post your comments on care opinion, I will ensure that your feedback is shared with the team.

We apologise for the experience you have received from our Community Mental Health services and we acknowledge the difficulty there has been for some time in employing Consultant Psychiatrists. Please be assured that we are endeavouring to resolve this as soon as possible. Unfortunately the recruitment of permanent Consultant Psychiatrists is a national issue and not something that solely effects Tayside.

We continue to deliver a robust Mental Health service for those who require to be seen urgently by specialist services and as such if you require this service, your GP should be able to facilitate a referral so that you can be seen to address your Mental Health concerns.

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Update posted by asteropemt96 (a service user)

This is more or less the response I got via post. To tell someone with complex mental health needs to go back to their GP for a referral is a disgrace. It's quite obvious from the info I provided that this is something beyond the remit of the GP.

I responded to the letter which came from one of the associate medical directors at NHS Tayside, and he has not even acknowledged my email.

As a result of him doing this I have no way to refer my case to the SPSO.

Response from Interim Complaints & Feedback Team Lead, Business Unit, NHS Tayside 2 years ago
Submitted on 05/08/2021 at 12:15
Published on Care Opinion at 13:24


I am sorry to hear of your experiences and the worry caused. You mention the SPSO in your response, who are the body who provide an independent view on complaints, generally after receipt of a Stage 2 response. Please be advised, should you have any concerns regarding a complaint please contact the Complaints and Feedback Team on Tay.feedback@nhs.scot or 0800 0275507. On receipt of your information they will be able to identify whether you have received a Stage 2 response, or can take your concerns forward on your behalf so you can receive such a response.

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