Very recently, I felt I was of severe risk to myself and was taken to Northern General Hospital's A and E and seen by a crisis team there. I was not offered any proper crisis support for the next few days, even though they asked me what I thought would benefit me. I told them and they ignored my suggestion. This has happened numerous times before and leaves me questioning, why do they even ask what help you want in the first place if they do not listen? On many previous occasions, I have given my answer and they have simply stated that it would not help me, even though I have experienced this particular support around 3 times before and I have noticed a massive improvement afterwards every time. When I have asked in the past why they say that, they just repeat it would not help me and that is the decision they've made.
They also told me on this very recent occasion at A and E that on the basis of my personal hygiene, I was looking after myself. However, had they asked about my nutrition, they would've discovered I wasn't at all. For example, I saw them 10-11pm, I hadn't had anything to drink since 8am and hadn't eaten anything since around 11:30am (and that was only a small snack). Does this sound like I was looking after myself? I would've thought nutrition is a much more important factor to consider than cleanliness.
At some point last year, a member of the crisis team begged me to stop ringing the helpline (I had been calling a lot).
I was really struggling at that time and felt I was being fobbed off. I wouldn't have had to phone so much, if I had been offered proper support in the first place and does it not defeat the point of a helpline, if you are asked to stop phoning whilst in crisis? Roughly 2 and a half years ago, I took an overdose in A and E. If I recall correctly, I had felt I was at severe risk which was why I turned up there but the wait was too long and I became more and more distressed to the point where I couldn't resist the urge anymore. When I saw the crisis team, I felt I was spoken to with no compassion and was discharged with no support, even though I was still ill.
I have often found the crisis teams on the helpline or at A and E to demonstrate no compassion and speak in a patronising way. They sometimes offer you a phone call the next day but often they don't end up doing it. I have often felt worse after speaking to this crisis team. In my opinion, based on my experiences, they are not fit for purpose and are unsafe.
"Crisis team"
About: Sheffield Health & Social Care NHS Foundation Trust Sheffield Health & Social Care NHS Foundation Trust Sheffield S4 7QQ
Posted via nhs.uk
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