Mental illness

Ah, yes! See what you mean.

Galen and .....we really must get a Bristol meet off the ground!

An update for all those who have followed my journey to get help for my severely mentally ill relative: things have been extremely difficult recently and culminated in me writing to the psychiatrist and also copying every bit of my paperwork to my relative's MP - in desperation, pleading with her to help. Today I received a response from the psychiatrist informing me that my relative is now in hospital, at last! A coincidence of timing maybe, but I don't care. I am just so glad that at the very least he's safe for now (and so is the family) and we can all take a breather until we're informed of his discharge. I am still furiously angry, but the relief is wonderful.

Well done, ga, it has been a long, hard journey for you.

ga I am so pleased for you, and for your family. It's been a long, very difficult time for you all. ((happy hug))

Enjoy that breather ga. Good to know that you can relax for now whilst he gets the treatment and support he has been needing

Here's to quieter times and good health to you

The breather was short lived I'm afraid as relative discharged himself quite quickly - and no, the family wasn't informed that he'd left hospital. Grrrr!
Anyway, a new caseworker (an AMHP) has been assigned. She took the trouble to read the case notes and informed us that entries ceased on February 28th (NONE of my recently sent paperwork was on the file - even though I have a letter of acknowledgement for it), she interviewed people who knew relative BEFORE his illness worsened, and - steps back in amazement - phoned the family to ask our opinion! (Can you hear the Hallelujah chorus in the background?) As a result of her diligence she has, in the space of a week, convened a case conference, got her paperwork lined up, found him a hospital bed and has been granted a Section 3 order!! There are indications that she also sought a second opinion from a different psychiatrist. Honestly I am so thrilled. We're not out of the woods yet because when the team went to serve the order this morning he'd already left the house; he's due to visit this area for a few days from today and we could get into difficulties with him, but at least we now know that an end is in sight.
Thanks to everyone for giving me a safe space to sound off about this; I've really appreciated your encouragement and support.

ga, how frustrating for you that this has been going on so long, and is taking such a toll on the family.

That is good news grannyactivist. You can usually rely on AMHPs to act sensibly. Their training is extremely thorough and they have to know the law inside out. Here's hoping for a swift resolution for you and your family.

Honestly nightowl this woman has done more in one week than the combined MHT has done in years. She understands that listening to the family does not constitute a breach of confidentiality and is the first person to have taken a history of my relative and the first person to have got all the professionals together to share information. When she told us that there was nothing on file since the end of February it beggared belief. Since that time there has been police involvement, a Section 2 Order, and a separate hospital admission! Not on file!! Arggh! God bless AMHP's -that's wot I say!

I used to love AMHP work. Alas, I have now moved into a different field and altnough I'm enjoying it I do miss the feeling that one could really make a difference in such difficult situations.

God bless you grannyactivist for your perseverance and support for your relative and his family

The sharing of information is so often up against over zealous ideas of patient/client confidentiality. Particularly when someone quite apparently appears to be unable to make a rational decision themselves. I hope it goes well GrannyA

Sadly I was over-optimistic about the new case worker - who in spite of promises did not keep her word that she would apply for a Section 3 order. After several very difficult weeks I've just heard that my brother in law is very seriously ill after being fished unconscious out of the river. NOW there is an application for a Section 3 order!! It was so predictable that I just weep. The family, and especially my poor parents in law are devastated.

I'm so sorry to hear this, ga. I hope he's recovering and you, too. What a terrible situation

I am sorry to hear that things have not got better, ga. I well know the feelings of hopelessness.

So sorry to hear this GA. (((hugs))) are all I can offer and of course you can tell everyone on GN about it any time you like

ga

Just found this thread ga - so sorry to hear things have been stressful and sad for so long. Your comments about the confidentiality issues, the excluding of caring relatives when the patient is unable to make decisions or keep themselves safe, is sadly familiar. Look after yourself also.

Ga Sorry to hear this after all your efforts

There used to be section 7 mental Health Act to obtain Guardianship of someone's affairs who has severe mental health concerns. I'm retired now so am not aware of the current set up but as he is sectioned 3 MHA it may be worth asking.

Unfortunately the 'Nearest Relative' (brother) for legal purposes also suffers from schizophrenia and is showing signs of being ill at the moment. It was to him that the initial information was passed on. My parents in law are their foster carers (for forty years) and have been completely sidelined by every one of the mental health professionals as being people of no account.

Again as far as I remember the nearest relative can be replaced by someone else if necessary. It's worth speaking to the social worker, or whatever they are called now, and see what the options are. I wish I was still up to date with Mental Health Law so could help better.

You're right Brendawymms the nearest relative can be displaced by a County Court Judge and one of the grounds for such an application is that the nearest relative 'is incapable of acting as such because of mental disorder or other illness'. A more suitable nearest relative is then appointed. An AMHP (used to be called an ASW) would need to make the application.

This is a useful link:

www.rethink.org/resources/n/nearest-relative-factsheet

Sorry to hear your update grannya - the relatives of people with mental health problems so often seem to be sidelined or blamed. It's close family /freinds who pick up the pieces, offer lifelong support yet aren't part of the 'team' somehow, but sadly often seen as part of the problem. I appreciate the need for autonomy and confidentiality but .....