"Shambolic operation. Shut it down and start again."

After almost routine appointments to my GP for years, having been sectioned on one occasion and two attempts of suicide, I was finally referred to CMHT. Felt relieved at the prospect of getting some help and being taken seriously. I waited the standard few months to be seen but was just happy to know it was forthcoming.

The first PN I saw for my initial assessment was incredible, a true NHS hero who couldn't have been more lovely and a complete asset to the profession. Prior to this, I had called the offices inquiring as to whether I'd be able to amend the date of my appt as it conflicted with a college day, stating clearly that if there was no possibility of changing it, then of course I'd be happy to take day off as I had already waited so long by this point. Was told there was no opportunity to change dates, so I said I would honour the said appt. On the day, whilst on the bus to get there, get a phone call from the actual Nurse asking 'when would be a better time to meet'... she had been wrongly informed by the office staff that I had opted to NOT attend the appt at all and that I had cancelled! If it had not been for her the coincidence of her phoning me on the day, and her kindness about fitting me in, I would not have been seen that day due to the incompetence of the staff I had spoken to on the phone who had cancelled my appointment without my permission.

This pattern of complete disorganisation only continued the more dealings I had with TEWV Trust. My initial assessment I was diagnosed with a "severe" case of a mental illness and deemed a danger to myself and others. Still I had another long wait ahead of me. On the day of my next appt, I was rung, once again whilst on my way there, and told that the person who was due to see me was unable to due to a family matter. Of course this cannot be helped, not a problem. But when I rung back to follow up on when I would actually be seen next, I was accused of not turning up to the appointment that THEY had cancelled!

The next letter that arrived stated it was to be on 31st Dec. Just happy to have a new appt and hoped this would be the end of it. Cancelled my shift at work so I could attend. Week or so later, I got another letter saying "we can offer you an alternate appointment" at an even later date! Felt like a ping pong ball at this point so rang them and explained my confusion at getting cancelled on yet again. The answer I was given was that due to it falling on new year's eve, they had assumed, on my behalf, that I wouldn't want to turn up...because it was on the morning of new years eve. I am suicidal. Celebrating isn't a priority. When I questioned this odd reasoning, the story then changed and I was informed the person I was seeing had booked it off as holiday leave, I'm guessing retrospectively, as appt letter was already sent out? I now feel even more fed up, let down and distrustful of our badly organised services. Not surprised people kill themselves before they get any help