"Seeing too many CPNs from Crisis Team"

I unfortunately experienced a severe breakdown last year. I was grateful to Health in Mind for a timely assessment and appropriate sign-posting to the Crisis Team.

I received a prompt and thorough assessment by the Crisis team but unfortunately things did not continue in such a good vein. I was under the care of the Crisis Team for three weeks. During that time I saw 12 different CPNs, there was no continuity of care and I couldn't build any trust with them. I desperately required continuity and trust in order to communicate my troubling thoughts.

I was not strong enough at the time to voice my concerns about the number of CPNs involved in my care, but I was fortunate enough to have a friend to advocate for me. But, unfortunately despite her request for less CPNs to be involved, this fell on deaf ears.

I unfortunately took an overdose (7 days into the care with the team), which I had managed to communicate to the duty worker on the day. A CPN visited me at home (another different one who I hadn't meet before) but took no action to ensure my safety and left without assisting me, without notifying my agreed friend for contact in emergencies. As a result, I was found collapsed (hypothermic, hypotensive & unconscious) in my street by a neighbour who telephoned for an ambulance.

I have reflected on my experience over the 10-12 months and only now to I feel able to be more objective. I believe the Crisis Team is a very valuable service. And maybe I do not appreciate fully what a challenging caseload it manages. But, if I could request one thing, that would be, please reduce the number of CPNs involved with a particular patient.

I think then, a better working relationship would develop to enable the patient to communicate there troubles more easily and for the CPN to notice and subsequently manage a critical episode more competently.