Should I ask to change care co-ordinators?
 

Ok, this is kind of a long story but recently I have got a new care co-ordinator as my last one walked out. My last one was soooo lovely and I really miss him. Since then I have had a woman but I've only seen her once and the last two appointments she has cancelled. Also when she says she's going to ring me she never does. I was supposed to be seeing her once a week as I'm unstable but I haven't seen her for about a month now (I rang up and actually saw someone else last Friday because of her cancelling on me again). Anyway, I have asked to speak to the woman I saw last Friday (she's on holiday at the moment but is ringing me on Tuesday) and I want to ask her advice about changing care co-ordinators. Do you think this is a wise move? I really hate complaining. It's not at all in my nature but I'm just disappointed and don't feel like I have any support at the moment. Thanks!!

If your care co-ordinator is rubbish then by all means complain. I once made a formal complaint about an unprofessional psych and now I have the consultant who is a pretty good psych.

Too many people make the mistake of not complaining.

Go for it

You obviously need the support and are struggling without it.
Ask for a new care co-ordinator and don't let yourself feel guilty about it - it's not your fault she keeps cancelling.
xxx

Thanks guys! I will try not to feel guilty.

You have no reason to feel guilty :)
xxx

Well, I spoke to someone about changing my care co-ordinator and she said I need to speak to my care co-ordinator directly about this if I want to change. She explained that my particular care co. is new and is just picking up cases, and that she has been on holiday a lot... Hmm...She said she is going to speak to my care co. and explain my concerns but that she recommends I keep seeing her and tell her how I feel, and if I still want to change after that I've got to ask my care co. directly! Now, I am soooo scared and totally worked up about it. I never complain and I could just cry now. :-(

in short... yes.

I had a care coordinator who was exactly the same - for a year I just pretty much snowballed fuelled by her incompetence. Please don't leave it as long as I did. If you don't/can't speak to her directly (which I couldn't either - which is why it was so long) then write an email/letter & send it in. Ask her to reply to you directly or make an appointment with you in xx days. If in say 2 weeks you've had no contact then I'd write to her manager.

^ I agree with the above. E-mail or write to them if you can not get a set appointment to see them.

You can also ask to change/complain via PALS.

Roiben x

Thanks for your help. If she doesn't ring me soon I will write to them. X

i would write directly to her manager. explain what has been happening in a factual way and suggest that under the circumstances you feel you would benefit from a more experienced cpn who could offer you more time as and when you needed it. try not to think of it as complaining, rather that you are willing to work with services to find a cpn who is a better fit. good luck and keep us posted!

Well, I haven't heard from my care co-ordinator yet and I won't hear from her before Tuesday with the bank holidays, which will make it 2 weeks since she said she would ring me after cancelling my appointment for the second time.

My Mum spoke to someone about it for me today and I now have the name of her manager and was told to ring her and explain why I want to change etc. So I am going to do that next week. :-)

I feel really terrible about it as it's not that I don't like the woman. I just feel a bit let down.

Thanks for the help and advice!
xx

Well done & well done to your Mum too :)
I'd just say try not to let yourself feel terrible (I know it's hard) but it's not your fault you had a crappy experience with her- it's HER fault.
xxx

Thanks! I'll try to remember that! Scared about ringing on Tuesday now but I'm sure it won't be as bad as I think! :-S

It won't be :) I hope it all goes ok for you :)
x

Well, just to update you lovely kind people, I didn't get a chance to ring her manager before I had my psychiatrist appointment and as she was around at the time she came into my psych appointment, so looks like I will still have the same care co-ordinator. She seemed fine with me but said she will get the secretary to ring me to make my next appointment with her...ah well! I'm just going to see how it goes when I next see her...!

That sounds like a good plan, but remember if it goes badly don't be afraid to speak up :)
xxx

Yes, I will. I feel more confident about speaking up now. Hopefully I will have an appt. with her soon!! x

Let us know how it goes :)
xxx

Just thought I'd update...:-)

Finally had an appointment with my care co-ordinator again today after such a long wait between appointments and actually she seems very good in so much as she's obviously very experienced and knowledgable and she also seems nice. We have another appointment arranged for next week so hopefully she will make that appointment too and I will regain my confidence in her!

That's good.