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"Nothing has appeared weeks later"

About: Ballenden House

(as a service user),

I am utterly disgusted with the service at Balanden House. I seen a psychiatrist early 2016 . After a few sessions she said I would be seen for CBT. Months passed and no contact. Then they couldn't find any notes on my file. I seen my GP who chased this up and referred me to a CPN for an assessment appointment. I was assessed by a CPN  in November 2016.

The CPN refered me to a CBT group. I attended most of the sessions, but found my mental health was rapidly deteriorating and couldn't go again. An appointment came in February to see CPN at Ballanden House for a few months later.

I then received a letter telling me the venue was changed and I was to see them at Gracemount Surgery. Then ANOTHER letter appeared, this time the venue had been changed to Mountcastle Health Centre. The day of my appointment I received a call saying she was off sick and another appointment would be sent out.

No appointment appeared. I phoned and guess what, received an appointment notification by post, this time for July! Phoned a month later as I needed an appointment sooner. Asked if it could be moved and was informed my appointment had been cancelled. Confused and angey, I complained to my GP. Was contacted by the appointment officer at Ballanden House, who told me the appointment was cancelled in error, it was the wrong type of appointment as I had already been assessed and I will be put back on the list where I left off.

Nothing has appeared weeks later. I phoned to find out when, was advised "they're very busy, it could be several months". You couldn't make this up. Meanwhile, still suffering daily. Anxiety is out of control and feeling increasingly low. It's reassuring some people managed to be seen.

In my opinion the service has been very uncaring and unprofessional towards me. 

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Responses

Response from Jeannette Morrison, Head of Patient Experience, NHS Lothian 6 years ago
Jeannette Morrison
Head of Patient Experience,
NHS Lothian
Submitted on 26/06/2017 at 18:02
Published on Care Opinion on 27/06/2017 at 09:40


Dear eh8

I am so sorry to read of your difficulties with getting an appointment at Ballenden House, it does not sound as though things have gone as they should.

I would be keen to look into this for you and would be grateful if you can please contact the Patient Experience Team:

Email: feedback@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

Telephone: 0131 536 3370

Post: 2- 4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG

In the meantime, I have shared your feedback with the clinical team, who I am sure will be disappointed to hear of your experiences and once again, please accept my apologies.

Kind regards

Jeannette

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