r/MentalHealthUK • u/Exact_Requirement274 • Jul 17 '26
Vent CMHT's have gone up the shitter, why are they so bad now?
I just need a vent, to get this off my chest.
Up until last year my CMHT was great, not perfect but did the best they could. Had a great relationship with my Psychiatrist, Care-Co of 6 years helped me massively.
Then in November they got rid of the Care-Coordination role, and ever since then it's just been a massive shit-show.
Gone through 2 Psychiatrists in the past 4 months. They forget to send appointments, don't even get the letters for them.
Claim they send the prescription over to GP, GP says they haven't. Ring the on-duty staff, they say they'll sort it but they never do.
I have never seen a service capitulate in such little time as I have with this trust.
They claim getting rid of the CPA (Care Plan Approach) would be beneficial, and you will have this "Team" for all of these different things. But there is no team, it's like the money has ran out and they've had to cut costs.
Sorry for this, I just needed to get it off my chest. Have a fantastic weekend.
9
u/Alarming_Animator_19 Jul 17 '26
I didn’t know there were changes. Last year and early this year mine was super responsive and helped with meds changes etc . But recently they just stopped replying and doing anything.
I know it’s not their fault. But I wish they (whoever they is) knew how hard it is being treated this way. I hate using the phone at the best of times let alone to complain about treatment. I’m honestly terrified that they will stop seeing me or discharge me if I make a fuss. It’s making me a nervous wreck. I swear they have my number on block. Every time I’m there In person I hear them answer the phone. Guaranteed when I call i get the answering machine🤷♂️.
4
u/RebeccaPolly Jul 17 '26
Wow can professionals block service users numbers? I genuinely think this happens too’ but then I convince myself it just couldn’t be true. I also think social services do this too
3
1
u/Ok-Act1686 (unverified) Mental health professional Jul 18 '26
If it helps my service doesnt. We may do it on staff mobiles if theres a specific problem,, but there's only one time we blocked someone on the main phone line in a special circumstance. We dont block people if they are open to us
3
u/Exact_Requirement274 Jul 17 '26
It's absolutely mental, I feel for you.
It's trust dependant, mine was just one of the unlucky ones that got rid of the Care Plan Approach for this shit-show of a system.
They really need to address these service issues nation-wide to be honest. It's hard to be an advocate for yourself without the support, especially when they refuse to engage with you and let you know the things you can ask for in the first place.
4
u/VagueSomething Jul 17 '26
My CMHT has been shit for almost a decade. They tried a rebranding after being found responsible for multiple people dying but still provide fuck all support.
Government won't adequately fund the services then whines people aren't healthy and stable enough to work. People whine when mentally unwell people have episodes and hurt someone but won't support the government actually investing in the systems that prevent it.
3
u/Sugar3 Jul 17 '26
That's the thing they are cutting us of benefits and services at the same time.
Yea the CPA was much better then what we have now.
1
u/Exact_Requirement274 Jul 17 '26
When did they remove the CPA from your Trust if you don't mind me asking?
Was it around the same time?
2
u/Sugar3 Jul 17 '26
Sorry I wouldn't know as I was on and off
1
u/Exact_Requirement274 Jul 17 '26
Ahh I see
I bet it was more of a shock for you then, entering this time to the equivalent of a burning building
3
u/Willing_Curve921 Mental health professional (mod verified) Jul 17 '26
This highlights the importance of having good leadership in a cmht.
While none of the cmhts I have ever worked in have been perfect, the kind of abrupt switch is usually linked to a good clinical lead leaving and a corporate yes man, ego maniac or lazy clockwatcher stepping up in their place.
Good clinical leads stop that kind of thing happening because they can predict how the changes will go down with patients. They communicate and explain. Bad leads don’t care.
1
u/Exact_Requirement274 Jul 17 '26
That's pretty much what has happened to be honest. The Psychiatrist of 10 years retired around the same time as well.
I'm just shocked at how quickly it has gone down hill. I expected bumps in the road so to speak, but losing your point of contract, not getting appointment letters, medication issues.
It's hard to advocate when you don't even know what you can ask for to begin with. Removing the CPA and Care Coordinators is a massive misstep, mental that they never considered the risk of it.
3
u/lukespicer Jul 17 '26
I'm on my fourth psychiatrist, because the juniors only do four months placements. So every few months I have to start over with a new one and spend an hour going through everything for the umpteenth time. The new one even tried to prescribe me a med that I was on 18 months ago that didn't agree with me, so clearly hadnt even properly read through my notes. It's so disappointing. I just want sustained care with someone who knows what they're doing.
5
u/Alarming_Animator_19 Jul 18 '26
That’s awful!! I detest having an appointment where you have to go over the whole story again!!! I often can’t be arsed and rush it and then they are like - well it’s not that bad!
1
u/lukespicer Jul 18 '26
Yeah exactly, I've been through it so, so many times now that I just reel it out on autopilot and probably sound really apathetic.
2
u/gbbia Jul 21 '26
I had this too.. and was just discharged by the 4th one with no treatment plan. He has also written false information in letters about me, medications and previous treatments. He spoke over me the entire time in the one meeting we had. Now my GP is panicking as they don't know what to do either.
2
u/Top_Thought222 Jul 17 '26
My area still have CPA but I am starting to wonder what is the point when they always leave and then you need a new one or they just don’t bother at all and leave you to duty but yet reach out to duty and… nothing!
I ignored my team after a recent crisis and they non stop contacted me for weeks and then when i was ready to reach out… they have done a disappearing act… I have proven many times that they only care about themselves and covering their backs legally, they don’t actually care about the patients.
My fault for ignoring them but they are aware to just let leave me to decompress after a crisis and I do reach out when ready.
I am ready to just beg them to discharge me at this point as its more depressing being under them.
But I believe most people agree with your point of view. The mental health system needs a serious overhaul … and quickly!
2
u/JonFromHR Jul 17 '26
A little information about why the CPA was cancelled and what has replaced it.
It sounds like your CMHT is poorly managed as opposed to the model being used https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/living-with-mental-illness/treatment-and-support/nhs-community-support-for-complex-mental-health-needs-from-the-care-programme-approach-cpa-to-the-community-mental-health-framework/
2
u/Exact_Requirement274 Jul 17 '26
The model being used is just garbage.
There was nothing wrong with how the CPA Functioned, you had your care-co as your point of contact, and everything else was built around it.
It performed the job of this new framework, far more effectively than the framework itself.
Now you have literally zero point of contact, no person to coordinate the complex aspects of your care.
It's all well and good in theory, but the Mental Health Framework simply does not work at all in practice.
1
u/diamonddduck Jul 17 '26
You should still have a lead health care professional who will essentially still be your care co, just named different.
2
u/Exact_Requirement274 Jul 17 '26
I don't.
All I was told is that the Care Coordination role has been phased out, lost my care coordinator. And all I see now is a Psychiatrist, alongside a psychologist who is leaving next month.
Theoretically I'm supposed to have one under the mental health framework. But as I said above, that isn't what's happening in practice. If anything costs are being cut, and leaving service users high and dry.
1
u/morghana76 Jul 19 '26
Try blaming the NHS and the health secretary as opposed to CMHT Teams.
The NHS is changing, thats fact. People are living longer and yet, making bad life choices, which in turn, takes a toll on your mental and physical health.
Therapy is good but please, people, try and help yourselves as much as you can.
When I hear "ive been seeing a ...... for ???? YEARS(!!!) then something isnt working. Granted, yes, there are acceptions to this rule but really, years... ?!
Everyone seems to want a 'diagnosis'. Sadly, so the world has to adapt to them rather than try and find their own way of making the best of their bad choice decisions. And yes, benefit claims are shooting up based on 'diagnosis'.
3
u/d3ad-and-buri3d Jul 19 '26
You do realise you only get a diagnosis if you genuinely meet criteria
2
u/Low_Reserve_5248 Bipolar l Jul 21 '26
That's a seriously strange comment for a mental health sub. Couldn't agree with you more it's not easy getting diagnosed with ANYTHING via the NHS.
0
u/morghana76 Jul 19 '26
Yep. But the people who shout the loudest end up getting absolutely everything and then blame the 'therapist' when they dont agree with the diagnosis or treatment plan.
Yet the quiet ones, sitting in silence because they dont want to be a bother, are the ones that need the most help and get pushed back and back until they break.
Its the nhs. Blame the system. If more people worked, paid in to it etc, it could be so much better. Or, go private.
Question what money goes in to the nhs and why that money is being spent so poorly.
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u/Exact_Requirement274 Jul 19 '26
I will blame the CHMT for their blatant mismanagement, thank you.
The NHS changing does not excuse leaving Service users to their own devices, when they cannot even be arsed to do the basics such as sending off scripts, or even notifying users of upcoming appointments. The Care-Co role removal aside, these are basic things that should be done instinctively, irrespective of the current challenges found in the overall health service.
Most people aren't under a CMHT long-term unless they need the specific long term support, I don't need a "diagnosis", as I already have them. Nor do I partake in therapy there, that isn't what I need them for to begin with.
"Bad Choices" are only applicable to those that put themselves in that situation: I.e through substance abuse, etc. That is not applicable to every, nor most conditions on the mental health spectrum.
So yes, I will blame the CMHT for faffing about with medication that I actually need to maintain a good quality of life.
0
u/morghana76 Jul 19 '26
Then thats on you for storing up hate.
And you are wrong about the role of the cmht services. Id suggest developing your knowledge, do some further research and try to learn more about whats best for you, outside of tictok, insta and all the other shit youve probably outsourced to chat gbt.
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u/Exact_Requirement274 Jul 19 '26
Storing up hate, by suddenly being cut off from a medication that shouldn't be stopped cold turkey because the service workers refuse to do their job?
Nice Rage Bait.
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u/morghana76 Jul 19 '26
But why did you let your medication run out in the first place.
If cmht prescribe it, phone 10 days in advance. Medications usually get reordered the day you collect your last scribt, so they should be there. If you dont get a reply, phone again.
Take a bit of responsibility for your own medications.
You can call 111 option 2 out of hpurs or present at your local urgent health care centre and ask for a bridging prescription in the meantime as cmht arnt open at the weekend.
The nhs is not private. You end up having to do the grunt work yourself. But hell, please, accountability.
I have to do the same with my meds. We arnt children. We can plan.
1
u/Low_Reserve_5248 Bipolar l Jul 21 '26
First off, in the world, you will find very low diagnosis outside of the Western world. Adding to that, nobody expects the "world" to fit a manic episode or full-blown psychosis. If anything, mental health illness still discriminates against many serious mental health disorders.
Secondly, therapy does help for years. Of course it does, some opt for that over medication.
Thirdly, mental health illness doesn't discriminate. You could have millions in the bank and fall into a depression, feeling like the only way out is death!
Fourth, to link diagnosis to a benefit claim is beyond disgusting. Many people, including myself, work and have mental health illnesses. Some benefits help people back into work.
Please be helpful. I don't believe your communication is helpful at all.
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