Triple whammy of problems

olias

Ok, have just taken my wife 20 miles to see her Psyc for a pre arranged appointment, only to be told the time on her app letter was wrong and she couldn't be seen....grrrrrrrr. Made our feelings known and were 'invited' in to see the centre manager who admitted that it was the third time in a row that they had messed up on appointments and that it wouldn't happen again and he was very sorry blah blah. I pointed out that apologies were all well and good but that it wasn't good enough. When dealing with mentally ill and vulnerable people it takes a lot of effort and stress and anxiety leading up to an appointment only to be let down. All he would say was that he couldn't guarantee that it wouldn't happen again.

Was then told that there was no point speaking to my wifes new CPN who had cocked up the last two appointments as she was retiring next month so there wouldn't be any point!!!! Why was my wife even given a new CPN who they knew would be leaving next month??? How does that help with building a rapport and a relationship of trust or offer any sort of continuity, and when exactly were they going to tell my wife?

Thirdly, wife is currently appealing an ESA descision about being placed in the work group rather than support group. We just got a phonecall from the welfare support worker who is helping with this to say that her and all her counterparts are being made redundant!!!! leaving us effectively on our own. Also my wifes GP has written what was supposed to be a 'supporting' report to this welfare support worker stating effectively that my wife is ok to go out to work!!! !!!!!!. She is a gibbering wreck, suicidal and barely able to get out of bed - unable to cope with social interaction (she cannot even answer the phone or open the door or open post) and suffers from severe and dangerous mood swings (she is bipolar and suffers from borderline personality disorder). He knows this - in fact it was only last week that he referred me to the practice councillor and made another appointment to see me to up my meds (I am on anti depressants) as I am struggling to care for my wife and am nearing a breakdown because of it.

Don't really know what I am asking - should I be formally complaining about the Psych and CPN? Should I, in my next appointment with the GP ask him why he wrote what he did on his report when it was blatantly wrong. Can I ask him to re-write it??

Sorry this is all a bit ranting and all over the place, I am just s o confused and in a bit of shock...

Olias

Racheldevon

I would be tempted to do the following:
1. Write a letter formalising your complaint re the third appointment mess up.
2. Perhaps consider liaising with PALS if you need support in this
3. Consider your own needs as a carer too -has your GP surgery linked you into any support groups/carers groups for yourself?
4. Would your wife be eligible to access on the NHS the MBCT course which has a strong evidence base particularly in comparison to maintance antidepressant medication - the relapse rate is lower for people with recurrent/relapsing depression who attend a MBCT 8 week course.
5. I see no reason why you cannot discuss with the GP the concerns you and your wife have re the letter.

[Deleted User]

heres some info on the support group if it helps;

http://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/employment-and-support-allowance/esa-glossary/1353-support-group-descriptors