This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

This service could potentially be a life saver

Posted By Biker72

"This service could potentially be a life saver"

About: Coatbridge Locality Support Service / Community mental health team outreach NHS Lanarkshire

(as a service user),

I attended my doctors in mid 2022 after having some serious (to me) mental health issues that were starting to affect my marriage. I’m lucky my wife was a mental health ambassador at her work and was very supportive of me. I had started to have some serious anger issues and almost like panic attacks at the thought of going out and mixing with people. I think if it wasn’t for work I would have hardly left the house.

 I was put in touch with Sam the occupational therapist who listened to my issues and helped me find ways to deal. She suggested several different options, some of which worked for me and some didn’t. Everyone is different so it’s worth trying all options. I ended up finding some ways to help deal with the anger issues and on anti depressants which definitely helped me. With Sam's help I have started going out more and am finding it easier to mix socially. I used to be out every weekend before the covid years and that had tailed off to the point I was making excuses not to attend social events. 

I have a daughter who has her own mental health issues and I know from her that trying to get access to a mental health professional through the NHS is almost a non starter at the moment so the service provided at my local doctors surgery was a major bonus. This service only being available locally to me at the moment, when Sam asked me if I was willing to write a brief review of my experience I agreed immediately.

This service could potentially be a life saver and in my humble opinion should definitely be supported and funded further to enable expansion to other areas. 

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Trudi Marshall, North Lanarkshire Health & Social Care Partnership about a year and a half ago
Trudi Marshall
North Lanarkshire Health & Social Care Partnership

Submitted on 09/11/2022 at 09:29
Published on Care Opinion at 09:50

picture of Trudi Marshall

Dear Biker72

thank you so much for taking the time to share your recent challenges and your journey. Following on from covid a lot of people have had very similar experiences and it is so important that we hear from people using our services to understand what works well and what we could do better.

The occupational therapists (OT) working alongside GP practices is an excellent example of what works well. There is certainly a desire to have this access available across Lanarkshire and the primary care improvement team are currently looking at how we might be able to do this. Funding is always a challenge however the more significant challenge in this case is having enough suitable trained OT's to provide cover to every GP practice in Lanarkshire. This means the team are having to look at different ways we could improve access with the staff we currently have.

I will make sure the team and managers involved are aware of your feedback and I am sure Sam will also be delighted to hear your experience of working alongside her.

Again thank you for sharing your journey

Best Wishes

Trudi

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Anne Sanderson, Advanced Practitioner - Occupational Therapy - South, NHS Lanarkshire about a year and a half ago
Anne Sanderson
Advanced Practitioner - Occupational Therapy - South,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 10/11/2022 at 16:06
Published on Care Opinion at 16:33

picture of Anne Sanderson

Dear Biker72

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback regarding your experience of engaging with one of our Primary Care Occupational Therapists, Sam.

We are so glad that you felt listened to and were able to find options to help you do the things that matter to you. Being able to access the service locally at your GP practice also seemed to be very helpful for you.

I will ensure Sam is alerted to this feedback and other Occupational Therapy colleagues. We hugely value all feedback and appreciate your sharing of your experience. May I take this opportunity to wish you well, Anne

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k