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"My teenager's access to services with Bromley Talk Together"

About: Bromley Healthcare / Talk together Bromley (IAPT)

(as a parent/guardian),

My teenager was referred to Bromley Talk Together by our GP for anxiety, depression and possibly agoraphobia/social anxiety. Initially things went well and she waited some weeks to go to group sessions for anxiety/depression at Beckenham Beacon. I think this helped her some what, although I can't be sure as she got too upset to talk to me about it. 

Bromley Talk Together suggested after the sessions that she needed CBT which she wanted to do. I stressed to them that she was due to start University the following year and I was told that it may be possible that she would be seen in 6-8 weeks by a trainee. I was told to ring back in 8 weeks. This I did, it was obvious that the person I spoke to had 'forgotten' what had been said and told me the wait would be about 6 months. When I pointed out what had been said previously, they recalled the conversation, but said that it had not been possible. Again I stressed that my daughter was due to start University in September. The person didn't give me any alternative suggestions of what we could do, except to buy a book on social anxiety. 

I have contacted Bromley Talk Together recently and it is obvious from that conversation that my daughter probably won't be able to receive CBT in time for her to start University. I was very upset, considering that I had not been told that this might happen before. She now faces going to University in a different city on her own and has social anxiety! She doesn't go out on her own unless she absolutely has to, for example, going to school. She doesn't go out even with friends. She speaks to them only via phone/social media. 
Bromley Talk Together said she should sign up at a new GP when she goes to University and join their list for CBT. This will probably mean she will have to wait another 6 months at least before getting help. This means that she will have to wait about one and a half years for CBT. I feel very upset about this and have not yet told my daughter as she is taking her A level exams at the moment and I don't won't to upset her. I feel extremely let down by the system. God knows how my daughter is going to cope away from home. If she had had CBT before she went, I would have felt happier that she would have some strategies in place to help her. I feel helpless.
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Responses

Response from Julie Miller, Patient Experience Lead, Bromley Healthcare 5 years ago
Julie Miller
Patient Experience Lead,
Bromley Healthcare
Submitted on 12/06/2018 at 10:04
Published on Care Opinion at 12:08


Dear Annie

I am so sorry to read of the distressing issues that you have raised.

In order that we can try and help your daughter please would you consider contacting me at Julie.miller5@nhs,net and include your daughters name and date of birth. If you can include a contact telephone number this would be even better.

Kindest regards

Julie

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