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"This service is a waste of NHS money"

About: Livewell South West

My experience started with been referred to this service. They contacted me to arrange the appointment in order to assess my needs. Well, after they've established that I am a "low risk" basically not suicidal I was told to wait for a phone call to start my CBT course. After couple months wait I've received a letter saying because I didn't attend the first session of the course I lost my place?!? Imaging my confusion and upset when I wasn't even notified of one, which I expressed over the phone to a gentleman, who wouldn't wanna know saying its not their problem and next course is in another 2 months. He did not take the responsibility for the mistake neither he apologised, but been rather rude instead, which is exactly what patients with low self esteem need right?! No, I don't think so either. I felt let down and expressed my concerns to the manager who contacted me straight away and apologising on behalf of his staff member offering me another course, which I agreed to. Well, what a waste of time and money that was...never ever I received such a poor quality delivery by a young girl who was shaking every step of the way due to her own nerves not to mention lack of knowledge or experience. So many times throughout the course I was wondering whether I've been filmed by a secret camera to see how long I last . On the last session of the course I walked out 10 minutes after its started hence how bad that must of been...it really was. I expressed by deep regret and annoyance in another email to the manager, who I must say was protecting his staff and wouldn't see where I was coming from expressing the point of "new talents must start somewhere ". I agree that young people need training but to put patients with mental health issues under this experiment in completely uncontrolled environment was a totally wrong thing to do neither I have signed up to be a part of some kind new talent training or some wicked experiment without my knowledge. As many others I came to this service in good faith and need of help and walked away unbelievably let down by NHS, who can clearly see numerous comments that got so much in common written by real people who became "victims" of this organisation. Reception is another area, which is totally out of control and lacks social skills training. Nor only nobody meets you at the desk, but when they see you they still ignore you until you ring a bell and then sad and very unhappy face appears to challenge you rather than welcome you. Normally they shove you a double sided A4 questionnaire without any personal approach and that's it. Every person I've seen there so far was late and when I wrote an email trying to postpone my appointment due to going away to see my family abroad for summer holidays...I've got ignored, but a week later received a letter stating that I lost my place with the service and got redirected back to GP, which is very similar to what other patients experienced. Surely NHS should investigate............

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Responses

Response from Livewell South West 4 years ago
Livewell South West
Submitted on 20/08/2019 at 10:39
Published on nhs.uk at 12:07


I am so sorry to hear about your experience at what I think is Plymouth Options. I will pass this on to the manager. If you would like to be involved and be up-dated about the actions taken in response please contact me with your name and contact details at claire.gatehouse@nhs.net

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