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Mental health services Wigan

Posted By Ollynat

"Mental health services Wigan"

About: Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust / Perinatal psychiatry North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

(as a service user),

I had been referred to community mental health following being treated by my GP for years on and off for depression and anxiety.   During my latest episode which lasted months and was quite severe I self referred to psychological therapies and counselling.   I chose the counselling option and was put on medication (that my GP asked me my opinion on which one I should choose) by my GP.  

After months with no improvement I asked for a referral to the community mental health as at this point I felt that bad I was beginning to think I may have something else that wasn't depression and anxiety and needed treating another way.   When I finally got my appointment in the community which took 5 months to come through I saw the nurse at assessment who said because I was now pregnant I would be classed as priority, see a consultant and get a proper diagnosis, despite my condition having improved.   I was relieved as I know full well that I will have another episode again as it has been happy for years and I did suffer with post natal depression with my first child.  

2 weeks later I received a letter in the post from wythenshaw pregnancy mental health special saying I wasn't really suitable for them, that I should be referred back to single point of access.   I contacted the mental health team who said not to worry, and made me an appointment the following week to speak to them.   I had been having some intrusive thoughts and mentioned this whilst on the phone.   She said she would speak to a consultant about me and form a plan regarding my care.   I attended the appointment to be told that I could self refer to psychological therapies (like I did a year ago) and I could ring them to self refer whenever I needed to.   She never asked about the intrusive thoughts I mentioned.   I explained that I had tried to self refer a year earlier and told I couldn't and had to get my GP to, which I did.   She apology and said "they shouldn't have said that to you".   So basically I am back at square one, still no official diagnosis, left to refer myself to psychological therapy (which I have done, again).    

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Responses

Response from Aliya Ismangil, Digital Communications Officer, Corporate Affairs, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust 4 years ago
Aliya Ismangil
Digital Communications Officer, Corporate Affairs,
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

Prepare and market the Trust's Recovery Academy prospectus and market the Trust's services.

Submitted on 30/08/2019 at 12:32
Published on Care Opinion at 12:32

Dear Ollynat,

Thank you for sharing your views and experiences. I am really sorry to hear that your experience of mental health services in your area has not been positive for you. I’m responsible for the Specialist Perinatal Community Mental Health Team (CMHT), which includes the service in Wythenshawe you mentioned.

Without knowing your personal details I can only respond in a generic way to the points you have raised.

There are a range of mental health services who support women who are pregnant or post-natal. Your GP or Midwife may be best placed to help you decide what type of mental health support you require.

There is psychological therapies (IAPT) available from your local clinical psychology service. You can also self-refer to IAPT services, which it sounds like you have done. You can check local IAPT services in your area via the NHS.UK website here: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/Psychological-therapies-(IAPT)/LocationSearch/10008

There may be a parent/infant or early attachment service you can be referred to by your GP. The GMMH Specialist Perinatal CMHT looks after women living in Greater Manchester who are either pregnant or to one year postnatal, who require mental health support, due to moderate to severe mental illness.

All new mothers with a mental health problem should get the treatment or support they need. If you are still struggling, please contact your GP or Midwife and request a further referral to the service most appropriate to meet your needs.

I hope this helps.

Best wishes,

Jane

Jane Arands

Service Manager/Project Lead

Specialist Perinatal CMHT

Tel: 0161 358 0616

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 3 years ago
North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 04/09/2020 at 15:38
Published on nhs.uk on 05/09/2020 at 07:40

Dear Madam

I'm very sorry that you've had reason to post a negative review about a service supplied by North West Boroughs NHS Foundation Trust. We always strive to offer a patient-centred service that upholds the Trust's values of care and compassion, but I can see that in your experience, we have failed to live up to this expectation.

Would you please contact the Complaints Team on 01925 664 450, or alternatively, email us at Complaints@NWBH.nhs.uk. We would like to investigate this matter as soon as possible.

Yours faithfully

PALS & Complaints Team

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