"Concerned about my son's mental health treatment and complaint handling!"

I feel that there is a total lack of care and understanding, by both Bolton hospital and Greater Manchester West mental health trust of people with a serious, diagnosed mental health condition.

The response I had from my complaint to Bolton FT and GMWMHT about the care and understanding my son was denied when he went to Bolton A&E was apalling and just reinforced my initial views of these uncaring institutions. My son was diagnosed with schizophrenia 12 months prior to going to Bolton Hospital to seek help. Regrettably, he had taken amphetamine, to relieve his symptoms, 24hrs before his visit to hospital and this had put him in a highly psychotic state. He was very frightened and anxious.

He was honest and open to staff about what he'd taken, however, staff only focused on the substance misuse and dismissed the fact that he suffered from schizophrenia. He was told to go home and go to bed! Cutting a long story short he ended up in prison.

I made a complaint and had a meeting with representatives from both Trusts but was very disappointed with the outcome. It would of been easier to get a straight answer from a politician. I felt that they defended their staff unconditionally and blamed my son, saying he should not of gone to the A&E department. If people with enduring mental health conditions can't receive help and support from staff in hospitals where do they go?