"Stop hiring People who just want a Job"

Today was the worst encounter with health care ‘professionals’ that I have ever had. I am so concerned that this is the level of care offered by the Barnet Crisis Team, as the name suggests, is for those in crisis. People of this country need to release it is not the government destroying the NHS, it is the staff it hires, they are the direct and absolute reason as to why the NHS itself is in crisis.

Individuals take on these roles as a way to have secure employment but do not actually possess any characteristics needed to do the role justice and to actually be helpful to vulnerable people.

I was referred to the BCT via my GP and was contacted the same evening as my initial GP appt, I spoke for over 40 mins on the phone with a BCT staff member who told me things such as “it’s not that bad”, “others have it worse” and in regards to me being unable to attend uni (due to agoraphobia) I was told “50 year olds go to uni and manage to complete their studies, why can’t you?” I was then called again at 11pm and told no notes were recorded and no referrals were made from the earlier convo, so I had to go through everything again. I was then contacted the following day with an appt time for a visit to my home, this was cancelled the day of by BCT - with no apology, almost as if the appt was never put on the system. Another one was booked, which again was cancelled on the day, with no apologies. 3 days later I revived at called to book in another visit where I was made to feel as though I had no say on what day or time the appt would be on, they also said it would be 2 people visiting and couldn’t tell me names or job titles of these people - so I had no idea of who I was going to have to let into my home. I asked if I could come to see them as I thought it would guarantee the appt to actually take place.

On the day BCT called to change the appt (again) I refused and attended at the original time. I received no confirmation with information on where to go and it was very difficult to find the building on the hospital grounds as I had no clue.

I was met by someone who was dressed not professionally at all and had no lanyard on, we went into a room and another person joined. They asked how I was (common curtesy) and then began to read notes (most were incorrect), they mentioned medication - I then I said I do not feel comfortable taking medication and do not want to, I wanted other forms of help as I’m unable to work or attend university. They said we only help those who are on medication or willing to take it. After that they were completely closed off, body language dismissive and never actually asked what my issues are. The whole experience was totally unbelievable and there’s so much more that went on.

To be in a role where you have no empathy or tact or even knowledge of mental health is SCARY. I worry so much for those seeking/needing help as the whole experience has not only been a waste of time, has been so triggering. Utterly awful.