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Spalding area patient calls for 'broken' mental health system to be fixed




A vulnerable patient says the nation’s mental health system is ‘broken’ and fears it could cost lives in Lincolnshire if it’s not fixed.

Hannah (47), from Gosberton, who did not wish to give her full name, has recently been for treatment at the Peter Hodgkinson Centre in Lincoln.

She suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an emotional behavioural condition.

The Suicide Prevention Conference has been taking place in Maidstone (46908054)
The Suicide Prevention Conference has been taking place in Maidstone (46908054)

That causes her to have suicidal thoughts and in April she consumed a considerable number of tablets before heading into the centre, based at Lincoln County Hospital.

She discharged herself in frustration at the end of May - and said there simply aren’t enough staff to cater for the needs of people who are in a fragile state.

She told the Free Press: “I went in unwell on April 14 and I came out ten times worse than I went in.

“It wasn’t the staff’s fault - it is the broken system.

“We are one of the worst counties in the UK for a lack of support.”

She added: “It’s inadequate and people’s lives are at risk here.”

Health bosses have denied claims that just one consultant oversees mental health patients in this part of the county - something Hannah says she was told.

Her frustration, however, is at the wider system - and she feels there isn’t enough attention or financial support to look after people with mental health issues.

She’s been receiving care since 2018 and feels the system is getting worse - with a lack of resources and Covid making matters more acute.

She explained: “I’m sorry but one day in your life you will end up having a mental health issue - whether it is you or anybody you work with - and if you are ever stuck in this system then god help you.

“With lockdown, the amount of patients is going up - people have been isolated and feel depressed.

“It’s the system that’s broken. It’s 150 times worse than it was in 2018, I can’t stress to you how much.

“Boris Johnson reckons he’s given £500 million to mental health. Where is it then? Because it isn’t in this county.”

Health bosses are introducing a mental health hub for Spalding.

Chris Higgins, director of operations at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: “We have been working hard to support the mental health and wellbeing of people living across the county during the pandemic, introducing innovative new services including new telephone helplines for adults and young people when they need to seek additional support.

“We recognise the likelihood that demand for our services will increase as lockdown is lifted and are working closely with our commissioners to meet this challenge.”

He added: “We strive to ensure staffing levels are appropriate on all our wards and in the community and provide additional resource as needed to meet the specific needs of our patients. If we have vacancies or sickness, shifts are covered by staff working additional hours or agency, to ensure these levels are maintained.

“Our consultant psychiatrist cover in the Boston, Skegness and Spalding area currently has no vacancies and we have several consultants covering the area to meet demand, which is constantly under review.”

- If you’re feeling low, anxious or stressed and you think talking to another person may help you can call the new 24/7 mental health helpline in Lincolnshire on 0800 0014331. The Here4You line for children, young people, parents and carers is 0800 2346342.



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