"Problems with access to Mental Health Services"

I have had depression on and off for almost 20 years. Mostly, I'm fine, but last year I realised that I was going downhill. Just after June, I went to see my GP, and he said that he would refer me to NHS Tayside's Psychiatric Services.

I knew that it would take a few weeks to get an appointment, so I struggled on.I waited, and waited, and eventually my husband - who works in the hospital - mentioned to them that I was waiting for an appointment.

A few days later, I received a letter telling me that I was not suitable for the psychiatric service, and that I should contact my GP. We were both surprised by this. NHS Tayside does not have a psychological service, and has to use Mindspace - a private company. My GP told them that I was an NHS patient, and that I had had money worries, so DO NOT ask me for money.

It took until the start of December to get my initial appointment, and the first thing I was asked was could I make a contribution to my treatment. I am still waiting to start my actual course.

I recently phoned them to ask when I was likely to get my first appointment as I was feeling very bad. I was told that the were 2 waiting lists. One was the standard waiting list and the other was the so called "urgent" waiting list. This list could get me an immediate appointment, if I was willing to pay £30 per session!

My GP is furious, as am I. I cannot understand why NHS Tayside does not have a full psychology service, especially as mental health issues are becoming more prevalent. My GP has been fantastic in trying to help me as best as he can, but he can go no further, and I am at the end of my tether. I used Mindspace once before, and I found them of little help. They seem to be exploiting the NHS, by receiving a payment from them, then asking the patient to contribute to the cost of their treatment