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Poor communication when referred for counselling

Posted By shen123

"Poor communication when referred for counselling"

About: General Practices in Grampian

(as the patient),

I was referred to counselling by my GP back in April this year to help me with my depression and anxiety. After hearing nothing for over a month I phoned and was told there was a waiting list and that I should receive a letter soon and if not I was to phone back. Months went past with no communication whatsoever.

It wasn’t until I went to the doctors last week that I asked again to be told there was in fact no counsellor at all. I’m extremely angry and disappointed that I’ve been waiting 3 months for absolutely no reason at all. I’m also furious that nobody thought to contact me, and potentially others who were also on this so-called waiting list that they have nobody there to provide the service they’re still referring people to.

It’s very worrying that for some people a counsellor is their one person who can support them in their time of need, but they don’t even have this.  

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Responses

Response from Kirsten Dickson, Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team, NHS Grampian 5 years ago
Kirsten Dickson
Quality Improvement and Assurance Facilitator, Quality Improvement and Assurance Team,
NHS Grampian

Submitted on 06/08/2018 at 17:21
Published on Care Opinion on 07/08/2018 at 11:21

picture of Kirsten Dickson

Thank you for sharing your story shen123.

I’m sorry that the practice didn’t get in touch with you and can understand how angry and disappointed you must feel. It may have been that the GP who referred you wasn’t aware that this service was no longer available – however, this should have been looked into and communicated with you as soon as it was discovered, and, if that was was the case, other options discussed with you.

If would be willing to get in touch with the name of your practice I would be happy to share this with the practice manager there (though you may have done this already). It won’t give you back your months of wasted waiting – but it will highlight your concerns, help find a way forward for you and give the practice a chance to put a system in place to prevent this happening to other people.

I can be contacted by email (kirsten.dickson@nhs.net) or by telephone (01224 558404).

Take care,

Kirsten

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