"First Response Bradford"

My wife took her own life recently.

She called First Response Bradford numerous times in 2019/20 asking for intensive therapy and even hospitalisation due to her suicidal thoughts.

Every single member of staff at that so called service were rude, condescending and treated her like a problem, not like she had a problem that needed to be helped with kindness and compassion.

On one occasion, after yet another point-blank refusal to help her in a suicidal crisis, I asked the alleged professional on the phone that, given that they were refusing to help her, again, would they accept responsibility if she harmed herself. A fair question in the circumstances, no?

I was told by the woman at First Response that I was -being manipulative.

This is completely unacceptable for a trained MH practitioner to say this. Her bedside manner and compassion was not fit for the post.  

Every time she called First Response in the height of a suicidal crisis she was either told to go to A&E, call 111 or just asked whether I was home to look after her. Every time, First Response and BDCT devolved their responsibilty and even one time told me, her husband with no MH qualifications and a full time job that her care was my responsibilty. They even once called me whilst I was at work to ask me to go home and look after her. I did, obviously, but if they felt she was at such risk, is it not the job of MH practitioners to provide appropriate care and support, including fast-track treatment?

These people in my experience were heartless, compassionless, unprofessional, jaded, disinterested and, I believe, more bothered about inpatient bed-pressures than actually helping people who want to end their own lives.

Suffice to say, my wife came away from every call to them feeling even worse than before she had called.

Additionally, when she was seen by an alleged pychiatrist, at Lynfield Mount, they told her they were discharging her because, -She didn't look depressed.  After one meeting, I believe. What qualified Doctor can say something like this.  Maybe if she had turned up covered in her own urine, chain-smoking and looking unkempt they might have helped as presumably they only treat people who -look depressed, whatever that means.

The entire service is not fit for purpose in my experience. 

My wife is now dead as a result of suicide. 

Perhaps if the people who get paid a decent wage to support people with depression and suicidal thoughts (and also have a statutory duty of care) had taken her seriously rather than argue with her and label her as argumentative and uncooperative she may be alive today. She may still have taken her own life, but this lot did nothing to help her and basically treated her as though she was being dramatic and attention-seeking. 

Also, it's amazing how fast BDCT's Serious Incident Team contacted me after her death.

If only BDCT would respond to patients' and family's pleas for help and support with such expedience and efficiency before they die rather than after. 

The only way First Response can help the local community in my experience is if it was disbanded,  and the money put to better use.