A Swindonian suffering a mental health crisis claims they spent 18 hours waiting for help at Great Western Hospital and felt "abandoned and let down" by the country’s health services.
When in distress last month, Ash Stevenson contacted Chatsworth House seeking urgent support and says they were told to wait because their care supervisor was busy.
Paramedics then responded to Ash’s 999 call and took them to GWH, where – according to the patient – there was just a brief chat with a doctor to learn why they were there, and a talk with a nurse several hours later to ask why no-one had treated them yet.
A spokesperson for the hospital claims that they were given a mental health assessment from the department’s lead mental health nurse and another clinician, though Ash disputes this version of events.
Ash told the Adver: “I feel abandoned and spectacularly let down by the system. I’m exhausted, traumatised and angry, it’s like I’m stuck in a never-ending cycle of reaching out for help and hitting a brick wall.
“That afternoon, the strategies the mental health team had given me to deal with a crisis weren’t working, so I asked to speak to my care co-ordinator but they said I’d have to wait, there was no sense of urgency.
“She was furious afterwards because apparently no-one had told her about my call until I was already at the hospital.
“I called 999 and the ambulance crew arrived 30 minutes later and the paramedics went through all the avenues to call when someone is in crisis, but nothing worked.
“I said I did not feel safe at home so they took me to GWH at 3pm. I had an informal chat with a doctor who said the mental health team might be able to talk to me but couldn’t guarantee it.
“I waited several hours and my crisis got worse because I wasn’t being seen to. I asked a nurse how much longer it would be and she was very demeaning and said that I had already been seen by a doctor – but that was just a short chat when I'd arrived.
“I tried to leave and she called security, who ganged up on me until I cowered in the corner, then they relaxed and were very kind when they realised the state I was in, and took me to a quieter area.
“After that, the only time anyone saw me was to take my blood pressure, it’s disgraceful. When the shifts changed the next morning – I hadn’t slept - I went to discharge myself because I wasn’t getting help.
“Suddenly, they started begging me to stay and only then did they start promising someone would be here soon but I’d been there long enough.
“I feel terrified of going back to the hospital. The next time I’m in a mental health crisis, will I survive it?”
After leaving hospital, Ash’s parents helped calm their 35-year-old loved one down and resolve their crisis.
Ash feels that this experience is just one example of how widespread issues and underfunding with the country’s health services are letting people down in their times of need.
A spokesperson for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “Ash Stevenson attended our Emergency Department on 6 February, where they received a mental health assessment from the department’s lead mental health nurse and another clinician.
“A referral was made to Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership, who attended to assess the patient. Unfortunately, the patient made the decision to self-discharge from the department.
“Should any patients require support for mental health, they are encouraged to contact NHS 111 and press option 2 to speak with a specialist, or visit urgent and emergency care services if they are in crisis.”
An Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership spokesperson added: “We are sorry to hear of [Ash’s] experience when trying to access urgent mental health support and will be looking into the issues raised.
“We understand that mental health challenges can affect anyone at any time, and whether someone is already in receipt of services, or has never experienced problems before, it’s important we have processes in place to get the right care, in the right place as quickly as possible.
“This includes having mental health professionals working closely with police, ambulance, and A&E teams when someone presents in those services with an underlying mental health need, and we are pleased these partnerships are in place locally.
“There are local services available to anyone who is struggling with their mental health, and we encourage anyone to reach out for help and support.
“This includes our BSW talking therapies team for people experiencing more common issues such as stress or anxiety, to our crisis services for urgent advice or support.”
Share