The patient has extreme PTSD resulting from a near miss car accident which brought back the MVA in 2001 which they died in and has metal all down their right side plus both their hips. They are in constant pain, have sleep apnoea, obesity, an aversion to hospitals [6 months in hospital in the original accident], won't take pills, only showers once a week, [rain on their face and head when in the first accident], avoids crowds/people, has lost all interpersonal filters, is jumpy and emotional and now has 'abandonment' issues because their clinician has organized for them to have a further 10 consults with a psychologist, which is great but 4 weeks have passed and nothing from the firm that is treating them. The patient has just left and will now go and self-medicate with strong alcohol, as nothing else will suffice at this time.
I have rung and left messages with the treating firm and still no response. I emailed them the other night and the manager rang me back all concerned. The manager rang the patient and according to them, the manager was only concerned that they were doing their due diligence and the patient was not going to kill themselves that night. I was appalled. I am now looking to get the patient help from another provider asap, before a tragedy occurs. Their first/only clinician was fine. The firm the clinician works for has a few part-time staff members manning the switch-board/reception area and can't seem to do the job between them.
How many other patients are being treated with what I feel is the same contempt as us? I am less than impressed with The South West Wellbeing Centre in Bunbury WA. Short of going to face them I have tried to get in touch to no avail. We don't owe them money. What I feel is their failure of good care to a seriously needy mental patient is unconscionable and dangerous, in my opinion. Mental health is real and we are in need of their services of which we are so lacking, especially in the country areas. Initially would have given them a good rating, but not now. I would hesitate to recommend them at all.
Appointments
Reception
Keeping in touch
Staff skills
Seeing the whole me
Treatment
Being listened to