I need a bit of advice as to what to do about my CPN.
I was discharged from hospital 12 weeks ago, the conditions of my discharge was that I had a very structured care plan. I would see my CPN weekly, phone her if I needed and she would get back in touch within 24 hours. Well she saw me for the first 2 weeks, on the third week I needed to move the appointment so I rang the CMHT and asked them to get her to call me to arrange another apt. She never did.
About 3 weeks later I got a phone call saying that she wasn't able to make an appointment with me, this was an appointment I didn't even know I had! That she was off work ill, and had been for a couple of weeks and I had no idea!
so this was about week 6 of me being discharged and I had seen her twice, more weeks passed and when it got to around week 9 I was getting quite annoyed.. so I rang the CMHT and got told she was back at work! So I asked them to get her to ring me which she did.. and all she did was say she'd ring me in two weeks to see how I was!
I rang back and said no I want an appointment, so she came to see me, stayed all of 10 minutes and left saying that she would ring me the following week to arrange an appointment.
She should have rang me this monday just gone and she never did, she was meant to ring me to arrange an appointment and also to arrange going with me to an appointment with my psychiatrist this coming monday..
It just infuriates me because I had this careplan, I was meant to see her weekly, and after the second week.. if I never phoned the CMHT after weeks, I bet I still wouldn't have seen her!
I also found out that my friend sees a different CPN, but her CPN is on holiday so she saw mine this week!
I went what, 10 weeks without seeing my bloody CPN but she can be arsed to see someone elses patient, and not even give me a phone call back?!
I was told when I was IP by the nurses that she was a terrible CPN but I didn't imagine she was this bad. I have an appointment on monday with my psych so I'm going to mention about her.. just bloody infuriates me.
Thankfully I have been OK, a few wobbles but nothing major.. but if I had needed her, I'd have been stuffed!
Hmm, well I suppose that she couldn't help being ill, but despite that it does sound as though she is very inconsistent and unprofessional. If I were you I would have a chat with your psych about it; my psych was always more than willing to contact the CMHT on my behalf to get things moving or iron out any issues. Maybe try that approach first? And then if things don't improve, make an official complaint - my psych once encouranged me to complain about my local CMHT (which I swear was staffed by chimps), so I don't think that being let down by CPN's etc is a rare occurence unfortunately.
Good luck, and I hope that you get things sorted and receive the care and support that you need and deserve.
I don't hold anything against her being ill, what I mean is before she was ill she didn't bother.. no one let me know she was ill for weeks, no one told me she was back at work, and she never bothers to see me/call me back when my careplan was that I was meant to see her weekly. No cover was arranged for when she was off etc..
I'll see what my psych says on Monday.. it's just frustrating! Thanks hun x
Oh no, I didn't think that you were slating her for being ill, sorry if it came accross that way. Some bloody CMHT's & mental health workers are frankly appalling though, especially when you consider how vulnerable many psych patients can be.
I eventually discharged myself from my local CMHT as I basically just lost faith and gave up on them. I was still quite poorly at the time, and, like you, needed support, but it just never materialised. They would just fob me off and try and pass me on to the primary care counsellor, who wouldn't touch me with a stick as my problems were far too complex for her. My GP isn't shy about sharing her views and frustrations about the CMHT either, as they are almost totally incompetent. I also have a good friend who at times works in conjuction with (but not for the CMHT), and it quite alarming to hear of some her experiences in dealing with them.
Sorry, ranting away there! But I hope that you do get something sorted soon, it really isn't good enough. Do you have a helpful psych? Hopefully they'll be able to get things moving for you.
I am sorry you are going through this i am glad you didn't have any wobbles while she was away.. I would definatly recommend talking to your psych and telling them that the CPN is not being helpful.. Can you ask to swap CPNs?
yes i would definitely complain, about her and about the general crapness of the CMHT (this did actually happen to me, my CPN went off sick for weeks and nobody phoned me, when actually i was that ill that i ended up being sectioned) Talking to your Psych sounds like a good first step
Thanks guys, my moms taking me to the CMHT on Monday and says she's going to complain whilst I'm in seeing my psych, I'll also discuss it with him. I asked about changing CPN's a while ago and they said it'd take too long.. but I think I should get the ball rolling. Most days I don't think I need one, but I'm just aware of how I have been in the past and I suppose it's always good to know there's a "safety net"... though my current one is about as much of a safety net as a bloody chocolate fireguard.
It's sad to know so many people have had bad experiences with cpns/cmht etc.. If it were a physical illness then they'd be on the ball about it.
Absolutely pointless in going. My cpn was there so I didn't feel I could say anything about her. She's said she's gonna see me every 2 weeks but didn't arrange an appointment with me. My mum went in afterwards and complained to her about how rubbish she's been. But she had excuses for everything and tried saying things like she'd tried to phone me and contact me when she bloody well hasnt!
So we didnt really get anywhere, and I didn't have a proper talk with my psych because she was there. :/ oh well...
Oh no, that sucks, sorry it didn't go well. But at least she stated that she would see you every fortnight (presumably) in the presence of your psych, and also, if your mum has given her a bit of an ear bashing about how useless she has been, it might just encourage her to "pull her socks up".
As frustrating as it is, I would be inclined to wait and see what happens over the next couple of weeks, and if things don't improve, then submit a complaint about your current CPN, and formally request to be seen by a more competent CPN. In the meantime, could you try and arrange to see your psych alone so that you can discuss the issue fully with them, or perhaps voice your concerns via telephone if you can't get an appointment? Also, do you have regular contact with a GP? If so, they might be willing to contact your CMHT/CPN about the matter on your behalf. My GP has always been very helpful with such issues, and it's often useful to have a "professional" on your side when airing such grievances.
Sorry you're being messed about. I often think that you're better off being offered no help at all (in therory, that's what is currently on offer to you anyway!) rather than being thrown into a frustrating and disheartening situation such as this. Just keep at them, and try not to let it get you down, although admittedly that is much easier said than done!
Thanks hun that means a lot. Yeah I'm gonna wait and see what happens with my CPN I think. Then see where I take it from there, she may get her act together and if she doesn't then I'll be complaining.
I've only met my psych once before yesterday, so I'm not comfortable with him. - And same with my GP.. I saw him for the first time in two years last friday, I don't have a good relationship with anyone so I'm a bit stuck!
Hopefully my CPN will be better now. Thanks love xx
