Care Opinion

My carer role, services that are no longer available - and ...

Posted By MENTAL HEALTH CARER

"My carer role, services that are no longer available - and what happens when we die?"

About: Adult Mental Health Community / Gedling Local Mental Health Team (LMHT)

(as a carer),

My carer role

I remember in January 2000 boasting to a friend that I’d never had a crisis in my life. All that changed one week later. Initially I had to leave my job. It’s a long story but this resulted in my son being admitted twice to hospital, culminating in rehabilitation at Macmillan Close Rehabilitation Unit, followed in 2003 by 24 hour support from Broomhill Lodge up to 2013. This then meant I could work and lead a relatively ‘normal’ life. Without that care, that would have been totally impossible. WHAT HAPPENS TO CARERS IN THAT POSITION NOW THESE FACILITIES HAVE CLOSED. After 2013 he moved on to Gedling LMHT.

Two things have made a difference (for the better) over the last few years, one being that my son has now services from two organisations providing meaningful activity. This was possible through a process, which I think was called enablement, and a personal budget. Also, my son had a wonderful psychiatrist (now left the Trust) who went the extra mile, resulting in finding an additional medication which combated the weariness and constant fatigue. But now there is no cpn and there are still many ups and downs as the illness, together with positive symptoms and anxiety, is still there.

I think every service user under an LMHT should at the very least have a ‘named worker’ who they and the carer can go to if necessary.

What really concerns me is what happens in the future when I can no longer care? What happens when I die?

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Responses

Response from Sally Redgate, Acute Service Manager (North), Millbrook Mental Health Unit, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 3 years ago
Sally Redgate
Acute Service Manager (North), Millbrook Mental Health Unit,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust

Submitted on 28/04/2021 at 09:42
Published on Care Opinion at 10:36

Dear Mental Health Carer

Firstly, I need to say that I'm really sorry to hear your experiences overtime with the mental health services but also your life experiences too. It must have been extremely difficult at the time but I can see that the changes within the service provision has been difficult too especially when you are looking ahead.

I am the modern matron for the Adult Mental Health community Services, this role is new which is a fantastic addition to the community teams as the role's priority is the service user/carer experience, therefore, your posting is really important to me and I would be keen for you to make contact with me to talk further to see where I can support you. I leave my details below if you wish to contact me.

In the meantime, the Gedling Local Mental Health Team can offer you carer support if you would like to talk to them please do not hesitate to contact them, in addition the Notts Healthcare website has details for support for carers.

Lastly, although your experience is not one that I would have wished for you but I appreciate that you have made us aware and once again Im sorry.

Sally Redgate

Modern Matron AMH community

0115 969 1300 x 14339, 07972731765

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Response from Tanya Hobbs, Interim Operational Manager, Adult Mental Health LMHT, Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust 3 years ago
Tanya Hobbs
Interim Operational Manager, Adult Mental Health LMHT,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Interim Operational Manager for the City Community Mental Health Services

Submitted on 28/04/2021 at 09:47
Published on Care Opinion at 10:36

Dear MENTAL HEALTH CARER,

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback regarding the Gedling LMHT. As a service we value carer involvement & I would be keen to discuss this further with you. If possible would you mind contacting me on 0115 9524098.

Kind Regards

Tanya Hobbs

Acting Team Lead

Gedling LMHT

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Response from Glen Owen, General Manager, Low Secure Community Forensic Services, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust 3 years ago
We have made a change
Glen Owen
General Manager, Low Secure Community Forensic Services,
Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 28/04/2021 at 10:12
Published on Care Opinion at 10:36

Dear MENTAL HEALTH CARER,

Thank you for taking the time to post your feedback and views of your own personal journey as carer. I am sorry to hear of the challenges that you and your son have faced over time. I am pleased to read that a positive impact has been made from the multi agency working supporting your son with reablement and a personal budget however, it would be good to speak with you regarding your son's current care with the Gedling LMHT and his ongoing needs.

I also completely agree with ensuring that patients have a named worker within the service that they can contact for support or advice but also that is available to family members or carers. This is a key ambition of ours as part of the transformation agenda alongside bespoke carer support in each service that can also offer support and advice to carers as needed. We have set up a lived experience group to support and inform decision making regarding the community transformation of which you would be very welcome to join.

Please feel free to contact me on the below telephone number or email so that we can discuss further,

Best Wishes

Glen Owen

Operational Manager - County South

01158542254 or email me at glen.owen@nottshc.nhs.uk

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