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Lack of psychological therapy for Bipolar Disorder

Posted By phatboyjim

"Lack of psychological therapy for Bipolar Disorder"

About: Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust / Adult mental health

(as the patient),

I have been living with bipolar disorder for the last 7 years, during which time I have only been able to get 2 appointments with a psychologist.

About 6 month's ago I asked my psychiatrist if I could be referred to see a psychologist for CBT or similar.

I explained the reason's why I would like this treatment since I had sufferred alot of loss. These reason's included, loss of job, loss of father, loss of access to see my son, loss of my home, and marriage break-up.

His response, I feel, suggested that I had not sufferred enough and that psychological therapy would not do anything.

In all honesty I could not believe his response and I felt it showed a total lack of empathy, understanding for the patient, and great deal of insensitivity.

Could the trust please explain why we have so much trouble accessing the services which would keep us well and help with our recovery.

Surely it is better to have somebody living in the community, getting CBT or similar than locking them up in expensive inpatient wards?

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Responses

Response from Nick Arkle, Patient Engagement/ Psychosocial Interventions Lead, Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust 13 years ago
Nick Arkle
Patient Engagement/ Psychosocial Interventions Lead,
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 03/08/2010 at 08:16

Dear phatboyjim,

Thank you very much for taking the time to post your opinion. The Trust values feed back from service users.

I am sorry to hear that you felt that you were not understood when requesting psychological help.

As you may be aware, the Trust is implementing a new service model for the provision of adult mental health services. As part of the new service model psychological therapies should be made accessible.

If you wish to contact the Patient Advise and Liaison Service (PALS) to discuss your concerns further please contact:

0800 0154334

or

pals@rdash.nhs.uk

or

PALS, St Catherine's. Tickhill Road, Balby, Doncaster. DN4 8QN.

Yours,

Nick

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Response from Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust 13 years ago
Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 04/08/2010 at 13:18

Dear phatboyjim,

I am sorry that you have found your discussions with the consultant unhelpful with regards to your request for psychological therapy for your condition. I have forwarded your posting to all our consultants in adult services for your area as well as to the Clinical Director. I will furthermore follow this up with discussions with the doctors concerned to ensure that this will not occur in the future.

Yours,

Dr Riadh Abed

Medical Director

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