Mental health issues - how to see a doctor ?
Discussion
My granddaughter had a baby six months ago and has been going downhill recently, she is now talking openly of suicide. She does not have a partner to help but has her own flat.
My daughter contacted the doctor today and was told that there are no appointments today but if she rings tomorrow at 08.00 she may get one.
We are afraid that the situation requires more urgent action and are fearful that she may try something silly however not sure what to try next.
Does anyone have any suggestions ?
My daughter contacted the doctor today and was told that there are no appointments today but if she rings tomorrow at 08.00 she may get one.
We are afraid that the situation requires more urgent action and are fearful that she may try something silly however not sure what to try next.
Does anyone have any suggestions ?
Use the nhs.co.uk website to find the number for urgent mental health helpline in her area.
You can phone yourself for advice if you feel that’s better than giving her the number.
She may have downplayed things to her GP if all they suggested was to phone back tomorrow.
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/fi...
You can phone yourself for advice if you feel that’s better than giving her the number.
She may have downplayed things to her GP if all they suggested was to phone back tomorrow.
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/fi...
Where I live you can self refer to the IAPT service so there is no need to go through a GP. There may be something similar in your area.
https://www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/iapt/
https://www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/iapt/
had a quick trawl and it doesn't appear that there is a direct access/self-referral to a local mental health crisis team (and this is a mental health crisis) in the locality.
the local health literature tells that mental health services can be accessed in emergencies via AE (a local Liaison Psychiatry Team will be based there and will undertake initial review on behalf of the community mental health services). In practice, this model is somewhat dated but it is not uncommon even now despite the growth of 24/7 crisis teams etc. Access to the local crisis team is not open to all and does require an initial referral from an internal team/practitioner.
peri-natal mental health is taken very seriously and i cant think of any trusts that don't have a specialty team (although as a returning locum i'm not necessarily au fait with the latest developments nationally). A bit more digging and seen that there is a peri-natal team covering Gwent but contact details are a bit lacking - another nugget of advice on their NHS page is to request a referral via health visiting.
a bit drastic but contacting local children's services should also have the mental health services running. be aware though - whichever route is taken, social services will be involved even if it's only as far as an initial assessment of the child's needs.
the local health literature tells that mental health services can be accessed in emergencies via AE (a local Liaison Psychiatry Team will be based there and will undertake initial review on behalf of the community mental health services). In practice, this model is somewhat dated but it is not uncommon even now despite the growth of 24/7 crisis teams etc. Access to the local crisis team is not open to all and does require an initial referral from an internal team/practitioner.
peri-natal mental health is taken very seriously and i cant think of any trusts that don't have a specialty team (although as a returning locum i'm not necessarily au fait with the latest developments nationally). A bit more digging and seen that there is a peri-natal team covering Gwent but contact details are a bit lacking - another nugget of advice on their NHS page is to request a referral via health visiting.
a bit drastic but contacting local children's services should also have the mental health services running. be aware though - whichever route is taken, social services will be involved even if it's only as far as an initial assessment of the child's needs.
still cant see any direct public access to local services but their website specifically advises the option of contacting NHS111 who will presumably be able to access the local mental health crisis service direct (they do in most if not all localities)
Edited by paulmakin on Tuesday 13th April 21:53
I approached my GP about my own difficulties in early Feb. I'm currently waiting for a course of CBT, but in the meantime I've been given a mental health first response number for emergencies. It's specific to Bradford NHS Trust, so won't be of any use here, but it's possible that there'll be something similar in other trusts too. Probably best to get onto the GP again and make sure they understand it's urgent and that there's an immediate risk. I don't consider myself to be immediately at risk but they gave me the details anyway.
I was also told about a service called SHOUT. https://giveusashout.org/
Text "SHOUT" to 85258 if you need help. Available 24/7.
Then there's Samaritans of course, call: 116 123
I was also told about a service called SHOUT. https://giveusashout.org/
Text "SHOUT" to 85258 if you need help. Available 24/7.
Then there's Samaritans of course, call: 116 123
I’m fairly sure Monmouthshire comes under ABUHB. Out of hours first step would be 111 or 999 depending on severity, presenting her at A&E if necessary. If it can wait until the morning a more in depth explanation to the GP reception will either see an appointment or A&E referral.
https://abuhb.nhs.wales/urgent-out-of-hours/mental...
https://abuhb.nhs.wales/urgent-out-of-hours/mental...
best i can see currently is from the A Bevan Uni Health Board mental health strategy where it specifically speaks of the local Crisis Resolution & Home Treatment Team (which is a 24/7 crisis response and alternative to hospital admission service) with cases "often" referred to them "....through AE departments ..."
its where i'd be headed if there is immediate risk
its where i'd be headed if there is immediate risk
Could I thank you all for the input and apologies for not getting back sooner but it was a bit if a day
What developed was that after the first few responses on here we contacted the practice again and insisted on being given the practice managers name so that we could bring the incident to the notice of the AHA.
This led to a change attitude from the practice and a telephone call from the doctor was booked.
To be fair to the doctor she was everything one would want and took nearly an hour sorting thing out.
Grandparents (my wife and I) were on standby to have mum and baby stay as a precaution however the telephone call has calmed the situation down.
On a self critical note it must say something about me that, when faced with a crisis like this I felt a need to ask a motoring forum for advice !
What is most surprising though is the amount of sympathy and help that came back. I am more than touched. Many, many thanks
What developed was that after the first few responses on here we contacted the practice again and insisted on being given the practice managers name so that we could bring the incident to the notice of the AHA.
This led to a change attitude from the practice and a telephone call from the doctor was booked.
To be fair to the doctor she was everything one would want and took nearly an hour sorting thing out.
Grandparents (my wife and I) were on standby to have mum and baby stay as a precaution however the telephone call has calmed the situation down.
On a self critical note it must say something about me that, when faced with a crisis like this I felt a need to ask a motoring forum for advice !
What is most surprising though is the amount of sympathy and help that came back. I am more than touched. Many, many thanks
loggo said:
Could I thank you all for the input and apologies for not getting back sooner but it was a bit if a day
What developed was that after the first few responses on here we contacted the practice again and insisted on being given the practice managers name so that we could bring the incident to the notice of the AHA.
This led to a change attitude from the practice and a telephone call from the doctor was booked.
To be fair to the doctor she was everything one would want and took nearly an hour sorting thing out.
Grandparents (my wife and I) were on standby to have mum and baby stay as a precaution however the telephone call has calmed the situation down.
On a self critical note it must say something about me that, when faced with a crisis like this I felt a need to ask a motoring forum for advice !
What is most surprising though is the amount of sympathy and help that came back. I am more than touched. Many, many thanks
Read the original post but didn't respond as I couldn't help and posts of well wishes seemed inappropriate based on the initial urgency. Am glad the situation has now improved and best wishes in addressing the catalyst.What developed was that after the first few responses on here we contacted the practice again and insisted on being given the practice managers name so that we could bring the incident to the notice of the AHA.
This led to a change attitude from the practice and a telephone call from the doctor was booked.
To be fair to the doctor she was everything one would want and took nearly an hour sorting thing out.
Grandparents (my wife and I) were on standby to have mum and baby stay as a precaution however the telephone call has calmed the situation down.
On a self critical note it must say something about me that, when faced with a crisis like this I felt a need to ask a motoring forum for advice !
What is most surprising though is the amount of sympathy and help that came back. I am more than touched. Many, many thanks
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