Mental Health Patients Report Feeling ‘Abandoned’ Amidst Waiting List Delays

It has been asserted that numerous patients perceive themselves as “abandoned” due to insufficient resources for adequate care. This situation coincides with a renewed strike action this week by staff members of the Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust, who are demonstrating against what they describe as inadequate funding and support. According to these employees, individuals in the community suffering from severe long-term illnesses are experiencing extended waits for services and are not receiving necessary assistance. NHS Greater Manchester acknowledged this as an issue demanding immediate focus and affirmed its dedication to resolving it. Craig has experienced various intricate mental health conditions for almost three decades. While typically managed with medication, he reported feeling unwell after emerging from lockdown and subsequently contacted his general practitioner. “He tried to initiate a psychiatrist appointment because it’s only a psychiatrist who can alter the meds I’m on,” he said”It took nine months before I was even seen.” Craig stated that the initial adjustments to his medication proved ineffective, necessitating an additional nine-month wait for a subsequent appointment, during which his mental well-being deteriorated. Despite having dedicated years to establishing a business, he eventually found himself incapable of managing its operations. “It was a real struggle and I was getting worse,” he said”I remember getting through the Christmas and in the January I didn’t go back to work.” Dissatisfaction with certain community mental health provisions in Greater Manchester has prompted employees of the Greater Manchester Mental Health Trust itself to engage in repeated strikes advocating for improved services. Among the striking individuals is therapist Darren Williamson. “There isn’t enough funding, there isn’t enough staff, people have to wait a long time to access our service. That shouldn’t be the case,” he said. The striking workers express particular discontent regarding the care provided to individuals with “severe and enduring” mental health conditions, such as long-term psychosis and bipolar disorder. A significant number require continuous evaluation and support from a community mental health nurse, yet over 600 individuals are presently on a waiting list, referred to as the “waiting well” list. Dr. John Mulligan, a psychiatrist and representative for the Unite union, stated that “thousands” of individuals in Manchester are not receiving essential services. “That extends to people who are on waiting lists trying to get into services, it’s people who are being discharged early back into inappropriate situations, and it’s actually the thousands of people who are in the services but not getting the support that they need,” he said. Rachel has managed her mental health challenges for over four decades. While presently receiving assistance, unlike others, she reports having had five different case workers within two years, hindering the development of rapport and trust. “The community mental health nurse I have now is extremely good but she cannot do every patient justice just because of her case load,” she said. Rachel attends a peer support group twice weekly in east Manchester, which is facilitated by a former mental health nurse. “This group is my absolute lifeline. If I didn’t have this I don’t know where I would be right now,” she said. Regional mental health services receive funding from NHS Greater Manchester, yet its own report from last year identified a £97.7 million deficit. The report further indicated that insufficient community provisions were leading individuals to be hospitalized, occasionally at considerable distances. Annabel Marsh, who manages the support group attended by Rachel, commented that the prevailing circumstances were causing individuals to become unwell. “People feel abandoned and neglected and to be honest, they are,” she said. Ms. Marsh observed a significant deterioration in conditions over the 15 years she has operated the group. “When we first started everybody would have a care co-ordinator. Now there are only three people in this group who have that. We have 35 people coming here.” She further noted that the absence of structured oversight resulted in some individuals experiencing illness being unable to promptly obtain assistance, with some consequently requiring hospitalization. “Some have ended up in hospital for over a year, including private hospitals. So the cost to the NHS of not providing community services is massive,” she said. Craig is currently receiving appropriate medication and the necessary support. “It was scary. I’m lucky to be here – I am. I was quite low,” he said. However, the business he dedicated four years to establishing could not be salvaged. He expresses uncertainty as to whether earlier intervention might have altered the outcome. “It pains me to wonder what could have been. Could I still have been working in a business, putting into the community?” he said. In an official statement, Professor Manisha Kumar, who serves as the chief medical officer for NHS Greater Manchester, declared: “Mental health services in Greater Manchester, as across many parts of the country, are facing significant pressures, especially as demand for services has grown.” She articulated their “ambition” for all residents of Greater Manchester to have access to secure mental health care. She further stated: “We are focusing on preventing mental health problems and supporting good mental health, improving community services, and strengthening our crisis response services to avoid admission where appropriate.” “We are fully aware that some individuals are struggling to access timely and appropriate support, and this is an area that requires urgent attention. The impact of rising demand for services has contributed to difficulties in providing the level of care that people need.” “We are committed to working with our partners in health and social care to develop solutions that ensure more timely, effective support for individuals with serious mental health conditions.” Carol Harris, the Chief Operating Officer for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH), commented: “This [strike] action involves our Early Intervention Services in Manchester only. All other services will operate as normal.” “Actions have been taken to prioritise the care and safety of our service users and their carers. Negotiations are continuing to understand the actions needed to address the staff members’ concerns. We hope to agree a resolution very soon.” For further content, listeners can access the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story suggestions can also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and via Whatsapp at 0808 100 2230. Copyright for this material is held by BBC, 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding its external linking policy is available.