Lack of assistance from Adult Social Services/CMHT

[dasis16]

Hi all,

 

I hope I am posting this in the right forum, please accept my apologies if not.

 

I am currently in receipt of Housing Benefit and ESA. I have been placed in the Support Group for ESA, which will be reviewed in a few months time. The nature of my illness is mental, although defining it has seemed to pose a problem for the people responsible for my care.

 

I have been signed off sick from work for almost a year. I have been depressed and very anxious, and I have rarely left the house in that time. I have managed to survive by shopping online and taking deliveries for food and essentials. I rarely see family or friends, and I get picked up and dropped off when this occurs. During the week I don't normally interact with anyone, as I am at home on my own.

 

After waiting around seven months, I was invited to see my local CMHT for assessment. This was after my SSP had ended, and I had been placed in the Support Group. The CMHT has now finished it's assessment, and they believe I should be referred to the local complex needs service. This has caused two major problems. One, the complex needs service is full, and they don't appear to have a waiting list. Two, even if the service was available, I wouldn't be able to get there on my own. During the few times I met with the assessment team, I was taken by my parents. They cannot do this twice a week however, because they both work full time and look after my much younger siblings.

 

I feel completely stuck. I cannot access any more assistance from the CMHT, because I can't leave the house. The treatment they believe I need, isn't available anyway! No-one from the local team seems able to help me access any additional help, and my GP doesn't know who else to contact.

 

Does anyone here know who I could turn to next? Sorry for the epic post, I tried to keep it as brief as possible.

[Nystagmite]

Have you spoke to anyone at Mind?

[dasis16]

I haven't. Thanks for the idea, I'll give them a call on Monday and see if they can help at all.

[abc123def]

dasis, can you stay on the waiting list for a place with the complex needs team? is there any rush? In the meantime there is a lot of self help stuff on the internet, try moodgym and livinglifetothefull

[dasis16]

I've been told there isn't a waiting list, that they're unavailable and that's all there is to it. Also I'm apparently supposed to have had a needs assessment and been assigned a support worker. Neither of which has happened, and I don't know who to contact to the get this started.

[Nystagmite]

Is the needs assessment from social services? If so, contact them again.

[dasis16]

Adult Social Services have completely dismissed me. I went so far as to make a complaint with the council, they just summarily referred me back to CMHT. The CMHT have said I need treatment, but none is available. I really don't know where to turn to next. At this rate I am concerned that the DWP will start asking why I've made no progress at my next assessment.

[Nystagmite]

Is your GP involved at all?

[dasis16]

Yes but the GP can't really do anything when the CMHT is involved. All he can do is repeat prescriptions and refer me, both of which he already has done. It took seven months for the CMHT to see me in the first place.

[Guest]

can you contact the cmht and ask about the support worker? sometimes they need a push, wrong I know, but I found this to be the case before.

[dasis16]

I keep getting the same response regardless. I phone them, no-one is ever available. Call backs are promised but never materialise. Regardless they have already confirmed in writing that they cannot provide the treatment they themselves have decided I need. Not really sure how else to "push" for any kind assistance from them.

[speedfreek]

Write/Email/telephone your local PALS service. Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS)

 

Google PALS + what ever area you are in.

 

Have a polite and civil word with them out lining your issues and what you hope they can achieve for you.

 

Your GP is your primary source of care so if the CMHT is not cutting the mustard then your GP should act.

 

If you GP refuses to act then PALS hopefully can mediate between all parties to try and get an outcome for you.

[Guest]

agree with speedfreek and kicking myself for not thinking of that.

[abc123def]

I have to say my experience of CTT (CMHT previously) is that they only take on high risk people, they don't have the capacity to take on cases such as social anxiety or low mood unless there is significant risk. The GP should offer you support though and as said above, they are your primary source of health care.

[speedfreek]

I have to say my experience of CTT (CMHT previously) is that they only take on high risk people, they don't have the capacity to take on cases such as social anxiety or low mood unless there is significant risk. The GP should offer you support though and as said above, they are your primary source of health care.

 

I haven't seen assumption making like the above since my last ESA85

 

1, Support Group

2, CMHT is the gateway to secondary mental health services

 

so......

 

I've heard there was lots of issues with CMHTs pre the 2010 25% funding cuts (and the 10% a year 2011-2015 cuts on top of that)! May be worth while the OP having a read around the anxiety and mental health forums for advice on the best way to manage them.

[speedfreek]

This has caused two major problems.

 

One, the complex needs service is full, and they don't appear to have a waiting list.

 

Two, even if the service was available, I wouldn't be able to get there on my own.

 

Maybe I should learn to read threads?!

 

1, so it's not a CMHT issue it's the complex needs service!

 

2, Councils often run schemes so do the NHS for transport heard of taxis?

 

If you have to wait you have to wait there's feck all anybody can do tbf! I'd talk to my GP and make sure they're involved and checking up if its not happening. Set your self dates for GP harassment if it hasn't happened every 3 months and escalate to PALS after 6(? maybe)

 

Do you want something to tide you over until that happens?

 

If so you need to talk to your GP! Have a look on MIND DIAL and some of the specialist mental health forums for ideas. There's loads of therapies ranging from herbal tea, massage and yoga to talking, CBT and beating yourself with thorny sticks and jumping in an ice bath (popular amongst Conservative MPs).

 

I pay £10 a session for low cost therapy as I'm on benefits!

 

Have you looked at the DLA/Carers allowance benefit rules? That low cost mobility @ £21 would sort out both your transport and therapy issues! You never know I get mid rate care and low rate mobility for anxiety so....

 

I'm in the same boat atm although I'm after 5 years still fighting for the assessment! Keep getting promised a referral that never seams to happen