I have already had contact with the patient experience team and had a poor experience. Since posting this review this morning I’ve had a rare appointment with my psychiatrist at which I asked if I could be assigned a CPN like I used to have many years ago to aid with my recovery.

At the appointment they said it was ultimately up to the service manager who was entitled to what treatment and the fact that I had been to A&E in crisis 3 times in 6 weeks (of which only one occasion was on their computer!) ultimately wouldn’t count towards my need of a CPN intervention. My use of the duty worker service (available 9-5, Mon-Fri) is the only indicator! I think that this is absolutely atrocious as reaching a crisis is not predictable and in keeping with a shift pattern, and the fact that in my experience the duty workers/CPNs that I have spoken to just want you off the phone ASAP you just feel worse off for speaking to them. At least in A&E the staff I have spoken to have been helpful, empathetic, and caring....even down to the cleaning staff getting me a cup of tea on one occasion (presumably from their own pocket!)