"whatever your diagnosis, u should be treated the same as anyone else"

We are disappointed that your experience of the crisis team was less than satisfactory. There is no part of any crisis team operational policy or ‘model’ which excludes people on the basis of a diagnosis of Personality Disorder. All crisis services aims are essentially to offer a high quality professional assessment to anyone who has been referred and may be in an acute mental health crisis, and to offer high quality care and treatment at home to people who are experiencing acute mental health problems, and would otherwise need to be treated in hospital.

Usually, towards the end of an assessment interview, the clinicians will suggest a break during which they can process the information they have gathered during the interview, so that decisions can be made swiftly about the most appropriate way to help. We usually do this away from the person being interviewed, and carers, as we find this is the quickest way of establishing our professional opinion, and we always meet with the person and carers straight afterwards, to explain our findings, and negotiate a suitable plan. This is the process we follow regardless of diagnosis, and in fact, we do often work with people with Personality Disorder.

If you remain dissatisfied with your experience, we wonder if your CPN can help you to contact the manager of your local Crisis Service, so you can discuss the issue directly with them. I can reassure you that they will be sensitive and supportive, and keen to hear your views.

Response supplied by Julie Taylor (CAT) on behalf of Ron Weddle, Divisional Manager Adult Services