I have been a user of SLAM services for many years and I'm fed up with the way things are for me as a patient and the way they are presented to those outside. I've had various admissions which have for the most part been on wards which are poorly staffed, and where care seems to be the last thing on offer. Rather we are contained and the aim is to discharge as quick as possible "because we've no beds and people are in private".
This has left me terrified at ever needing hospital again. That means that the thing I am told could keep me safe if I relapse is actually scary in itself, also we are told all the time how there are no beds, well where are the beds? might you need a trip to IKEA?
My community team was always a constant but these changes to CAGs only serve the perceived world class reputation of SLAM, there is a whole side to this that is so sad.
A team called 'support and recovery' sat easy and felt nice and hopeful. The changes meant I and many of my friends had a change of nurse and now a team called 'psychosis'. The focus now seems to be on discharging as soon as possible. Getting better can't happen by changing things all the time, surely a world leading institution would see the value of consistency?
I wish that the people in charge would deal with the things that really affect us, make inpatient care a place to get better, staff it properly with nurses, feed us healthy food, please make sure that when we are detained by you that you have the staff to enable us to take a breath of fresh air or go to activities.
When we are discharged give our Community teams the freedom to support us until whenever we are ready, rather than placing time frames on when they are under pressure to discharge us. They are the people that know us, In the long term you will not only save money but you may earn your reputation.
I hope I won't need your services for too much longer but please make them for patients and not management targets.
"Too much management and a loss of care "
About: South London And Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust South London And Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust Beckenham BR3 3BX
Posted by Laurie (as ),
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