I had a mental health assessment on a Saturday. I was surprised to be offered an assessment as have been refused help for so long. It took place at the Irwell unit at Fairfield General Hospital.
When I arrived there was no reception and no member of staff to report to. Just a locked ward so I couldn't even tell anyone I had arrived. Eventually I saw someone and asked them to pass on the message.
A female nurse showed me into room. Inside was a male wearing jogging bottoms and slippers. He seemed agitated and was showing loudly about being a witness. He didn't introduce himself and he wasn't wearing a staff lanyard. No uniform. I felt he was a patient.
He sat in the entire assessment which i found disturbing because he didn't seem professional and his demeanor was odd. The assessment was very stressful. I was asked a lot of personal questions whilst the nurse typed the answers. She was hostile and it felt like a police interview as a suspect. I was given no time to answer or formulate my thoughts. I have autism and ADHD and struggle with communication. It was quickfire questions jumping from one subject to the next. No compassion or sensitivity. One minute asked about abuse the next whether I lived in a house. If I found something upsetting there was no acknowledgement just cold, clinical and unfeeling.
A one point I asked the man in the room his role but he failed to respond.
After she had finished the nurse asked my consent to send the report to other professionals. I asked her if I will I get a copy? She said -no' I would have to make a subject access request. I said -in that that case no. How do I consent to something I havent seen myself?
She told me they would not be offering a service and suggested I buy my own care.
Afterwards I phoned up to ask who the man in the room was who declared he was a witness and was very adversarial. She just gave a first name. I asked why he wasn't wearing a uniform or lanyard. She replied he was too hot to wear a uniform. I asked if he were a patient and she replied I am terminating the call and promptly hung up on me. Refused access to mental health help.
"Mental Health Assessment Irwell Unit"
About: Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Ashton-Under-Lyne OL6 7SR
Posted by Mungo At The Crossroads (as ),
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