CMHT assessment

Annabelle · 13-07-2012, 06:28 PM

I've been discharged from camhs and I'm expecting a cmht assessment, I've got no help what so ever at the moment, does anyone know how long it will take to get a letter/ assessment? I need help!

random.swirls · 13-07-2012, 07:19 PM

How long is a piece of string!

I know that isn't helpful but a few things that will affect the waiting time are whose referred you CAMHS or your GP? Was it an ordinary referral or an urgent one? Where in the country do you live? etc.

I have had a several month long wait for an appt when it wasn't urgent but I still needed help. And a fortnight wait when I was very unwell. The location was different for the referrals as I was at uni in the North for one and in London for the other so I don't know if that would have changed things.

If things are getting desperate then go and let the person who referred you know and they can chase appts up.

xox

Fire Fly · 13-07-2012, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by random.swirls

go and let the person who referred you know and they can chase appts up.

^^ I aggree with that... If it was your GP he can sort it out quickly. The first time it was urgent and stuff and he got me an appointment for the following week. whereas when i moved back in 3 months time it took 6 weeks to get an appointment again with teh same doctore to continue with teh assessment even though i was desperate!

You need to keep ringing the CMHT you have been referred to say your still waiting for an appointment and if you get annoying nough they do something about it!

Annabelle · 13-07-2012, 09:08 PM

I've been under camhs for 2 years, 17 of those were spent impatient and I have been diagnosed with anorexia, severe depression, high functioning autism, and a history of self harm and suicidal ideation. My psychiatrist from camhs has just referred me, I live in Warwickshire, she discharged me from camhs last week as I was making no progress, so I doubt it is an urgent referral although I ended up in minor injuries twice two weeks ago. There's no one I can contact for updates either as I don't know whether she contacted Stratford or leamington :/ guess I'll have to wait!

talaiporia · 13-07-2012, 09:11 PM

Hey. It might be worth seeing your GP as they're usually good at handling referrals, chasing them up, and just chatting while you wait for it to come through.

It might be worth thinking about what you would like to get from the referral, who you would like to see, what type of therapies, etc. because you mentioned that your psychiatrist felt you were making no progress, but people often have good insight into their own conditions.

random.swirls · 13-07-2012, 09:12 PM

Hum I would contemplate going to your GP if things are still bad as an assessment may take a while and in the meantime they could see you on a regular basis. They should also have details of your referral as they will have been sent a discharge summary.

Annabelle · 13-07-2012, 09:25 PM

My gp was the person who sent me to camhs 2 years ago, she didn't see me for the whole 8 weeks whilst an assessment came through, meanwhile I ended up in general and then began my 17 month admission. They mentioned intense DBT and I think I'm willing to start that, some days I want to get better as I'm exhausted. Other days I just want to lose weight, I still think I need pointing in the right direction

talaiporia · 13-07-2012, 09:39 PM

If you make appointments, they'll have to see you.
I'm sorry they weren't very helpful before; it might be worth seeing a different GP if you don't get on with the current one. Otherwise, just keep going back. One GP at my practice said to me once "come back everyday if you need to" when I wasn't very well. At the end of the day, they're the main gateway to the rest of the NHS.

Take care.