Adult Services
 

I was meant to have a pysch appointment today, but it's got cancelled because my pysch is off sick. I was also meant to meet with a key worker who is supposed to be completing an assessment she started months ago, but the appointment which she sent me was at a time that I couldn't go, I phoned her back to rearrange, but couldn't speak to her so I left a message but she never got back to me. I spoke to reception again today, and again she is not in and they have no idea why she hasn't phoned me back. She is a nightmare, during summer she phoned my house and basically spoke to my mum about my appointments etc, whichI'm sure is a breach of my confidentiality, she never phones back when I leave messages for her, which I have done several times. I changed addresses, which I informed my old pysch of (he has left and I now have a new one) but she continued to send letters to my old address about appointments, which I obviously didn't attend because I didn't know that they existed. I am so frustrated by the standard of care, if I ever manage to meet with her again I'm going to have no desire to talk to her because I have no faith that she can do her job properly and I definitely don't want to work with her long term because. I am not feeling great at the moment anyway and I think it would have really helped to go in and see someone, I know I can go in and see the duty worker but I don't know who they are and I don't really know what I'd say, I'd probably just cry. I know I might be irrationally angry about this situation, and if I am please tell me, but I don't know what to do or how I'm supposed to get anything out of this service when it's so difficult just to see someone.

I would be angry if I were being treated like that too. If you are unhappy you can request a new keyworker, perhaps you could do that?

The last time I met with my pysch I told him that I didn't want to work with her, which he said was fine but that she still needed to complete my assessment. I have no idea when that will happen (I first met with her in May and haven't seen her since) because when I leave messages for her she never gets back to me. It will probably be after Christmas now anyway.

To be in the middle of assessments started back in May is ridiculous. You need to know what's going on and have stability in your care/treatment. Also you need to trust that your worker will liaise with you, not your parents, because as far as I'm aware you're right that it's a breach.

What I have found helpful is to allow yourself the right to be assertive. Ring up and really assert that you want her to phone back the next time she's due into the office (ask the receptionist when that is) and if she doesn't, phone PALS.

PALS are the Patient Advice and Liaison Service that run all over the country and work independently of the NHS services (meaning they don't have an interest in siding with the staff over the patients). They will be able to help by contacting your keyworker direct and getting the answers for you, and getting back to you. If there's anything else you want or need, they'll be able to advise you on how to proceed with that, too. xxx

^^ I hope you can try that.
Youare right; it IS a disgrace. No woner yo yfeel angry and not wanting to work wth her..IF you ever get to see her that is!
Good luck.
You deserve better care, its sad you have to fight for it...but that seems to be the way all to often.
xx