"Woefully inadequate"

My brother has been under the care of the recovery team in Rectory Lane for nearly 3 months following a stay of 5 weeks on the acute ward in Harlow. The level of support on offer is woefully inadequate.

It is so bad we have resulted in 'gallows humour' and the experience for my brother and those of us that support him has led us to rename it it the 'unlikely to recover and receive appropriate care' team.

I have expressed my thoughts via PALS and they have been passed on 3 times to the management team as far as I know. Yet still no call from anyone.

I know the service is stretched but the team involved in recovery doesn't seem to have anybody who is actually available to go out and offer support.A fortnightly visit after a 5 week inpatient stay just isn't good enough.

Groups were offered but my brother due to his mental state has not gone along. No one followed up to check he is OK or look at ways around getting him there. It seems to be that if you don't turn up that you are exercising free will not to go. It is surely obvious though with mental health issues it is not that clear cut. Many of the patients are vulnerable and have to be supported as such.

I could go on with writing about other things we have experienced where things aren't followed through but this would serve no purpose now.

All in all disappointed with the way the service is set up. It feels like it runs for the benefit of Trust and staff rather than the patient.

Thankfully my brother has people to give support outside but I am fearful for those who are battling on their own.