locality effects wait for psych

jen-x · 19-04-2009, 10:35 PM

I heard you tend to wait longer in the north (which is where i now live) for psych support than the south. Is this true? has anyone experienced this? my gp referred me with a letter from my old psych in the midlands and i don't know how long i'll be waiting, and am struggling to cope alone and without any meds? (I'm bipolar with severe anxiety)

jen xx

sorry if you read my other post, it didnt make sense. at least i'm making more sense now, if nothing else.

Wonderland. · 19-04-2009, 10:47 PM

Hey hun.
You should get your GP to chase up the referral, keep in touch with your GP while you are waiting as they can help. I don't know whether you have to wait more up north than down south or not. In my own personal experience I got an appointment two weeks after being referred so very quick although that was for CAMHS though and I think I was put as quite an urgent case and then for the older part of CAMHS (we have two parts of CAMHS in my area 0-16 service and 16-19 service) I had the same wait which was nothing really. I've heard in the south you have to wait a long time, although I expect it differs from place to place.

Amy x

Geranium · 19-04-2009, 10:59 PM

As far as I know the wait will vary from area to area - as they are funded/managed separately. I don't know if the North is worse overall - I'm in the South but it's bad in my area too...

Could you explain why you don't have meds at the moment? Is this your choice or will they not give you anything?
(It is possible to have a mood stabiliser via the GP- they have done this for me.)
As said above staying in contact with your GP meanwhile is important. Hope you get the help you need soon. xx

startingagain · 19-04-2009, 11:20 PM

I am sure your GP can provide you with the same meds. Can you go back and ask for referral to a CPN? It might not be as long a wait.

My psychiatrist just looks at the medical side. I don't talk to him about anything and I don't see him as a source of support.

jen-x · 19-04-2009, 11:24 PM

I am quite nervous because it's a new gp, and i'm not sure if they've even got the rest of my notes yet. I'm not on meds because the ones i was on weren't working and were causing side effects, and my psych wouldnt give me more, because i need supervising with any new meds (Two previous meds sent me manic) and was moving. He did though send a letter stating his belief that i should be seeing someone and trying new meds.

I've tried various mood stabilisers/antids/tranq etc, and nothing has worked apart from tranq for the short periods they take effect but obviously i dont wanna get addicted! I dont really trust gp to put me on meds after what happened with my last gp, but think i might need something just as a stop gap at least. I'm waffling now. I'm just relieved to put stuff down. My social anxiety's had me locked in my room when i've not been so 'up' i'm not making sense anyway!

jen x

rockaroni · 19-04-2009, 11:24 PM

I think it varies even within each county- every PCT has different, well everything. Different numbers of people needing different types of doctors/therapists.

If you were on meds before and have run out, that's something you can talk to your GP about. If you've still got the boxes with the labels, that'll be helpful in case your medical records haven't been delivered yet. But your GP is fine to prescribe them, you don't necessarily have to see a psych for that.

jen-x · 19-04-2009, 11:26 PM

"starting again", i don't know how the referrals work? i was simply told i was to be referred to psychiatrist again..

thanx for replying guys, means a lot x

Geranium · 20-04-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

I'm not on meds because the ones i was on weren't working and were causing side effects, and my psych wouldnt give me more, because i need supervising with any new meds (Two previous meds sent me manic) and was moving. He did though send a letter stating his belief that i should be seeing someone and trying new meds.
jen x

Hi Jen
I see exactly what you mean about not being able to get meds from the GP.

I reckon you need to ask the GP whether he/she knows how much longer the referral will take to come through. You could mention the letter your previous psych sent in case it's got lost in the system. Don't feel you are hassling them - (currently) untreated bipolar is a serious condition - as they will know too.
take care, xx