Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2008 11:00:46 GMT
All
Just to give you some idea of my problems with the NHS and make us all aware of how painful diagnosis can be - here is my complaint letter sent today to Chief Exec of NHS Cardiff Trust.
Comments and thoughts welcome:
Dear Mr XXXXX
I am writing to you with major concerns and upset over the recent series of appointments with an NHS Psychiatrist by the name of XXXXX at the XXXXX in Cardiff.
To introduce myself as briefly as I can, I am a 28 year old guy who lives in Cardiff. I work for a large bank as a senior marketing manager and am a graduate of Bristol University. I have found over the past 10 years that symptoms of abnormally poor concentration, motivation and periods of anxiety and mild depression have consumed my life. I felt that this made no sense as I have a wonderful wife, house, job and upbringing. I sought assistance from my local GP for CBT therapy and was told of a 2 yr waiting list and that I may want to pay myself to see someone. I was disappointed but not surprised. I proceeded to seek this therapy privately and it helped to a small degree. The main outcome was that the therapist suggested I push to see a specialist as he saw clear signs of ADHD in my manner and the problems I presented. This made some sense as not only were the symptoms matching up; a previous counsellor had suggested ADHD as well, and as my school teachers raised it many years ago. I saw my local GP (Dr XXXX at the XXXX medical surgery in XXXX, Cardiff). He was happy to refer me on, as current anxiety medications had not worked and he agreed with the potential diagnosis. I then was given an appointment 6-8 wks later to see a Dr XXXXX at the XXXXX to discuss ADHD or other potential causes of my problems. This is when my concerns developed.
Upon arrival at the Link Centre I was put in an office to see Dr XXXXX where immediately I was shocked by the fact he took 2 mobile phone calls in the middle of the appointment that I could tell were not medical emergencies. When he did seat himself, he rushed me on any answers of questions I made and it struck me that he wanted to get me in and out of the door asap. I was in the room with him for a total of 15 mins (minus his mobile call time). He asked me a total of 6 questions that were as superficial as what my job was, where I lived, what I studied, was I impulsive and how was my childhood. All of which I only got to offer a few words comment on. With this information and the single page letter from my GP asking him to see me, he diagnosed ADHD. As I had heard that the condition is complex, varied and specialist, and that most experts in this field talk to patients for up to 1-2 hours before they can ascertain a diagnosis, I was very worried. Dr XXXXX then asked me to return the following week to take some tests. I returned and completed 2 tests (Connors scale and a 300+ question personality form). He then maintained his diagnosis and asked me to return to commence stimulants medication treatment the next week. This next appointment is where the most alarming statements were made.
In the appointment he had a trainee Dr with him and again his manner was someone who was rushed and churning out the patients. Yet, he did not seem to be behind on appointment times, nor was there anyone hassling him to get through appointments. In the meeting, I brought a list of 6 short simple questions about the treatment and my diagnosis concerns. The moment I raised my first question on treatment, Dr XXXXX launched himself into an aggressive, angry and stern attack on me and my questions. The following are quotes from statements he made to me:
“You will not tell me what to prescribe...I am the only person who will help you/treat you in Cardiff...These drugs could cause you to drop dead or kill you suddenly if you do not listen to me...ADHD is commercial and controversial and abused by some to get treatment...the different types of ADHD are irrelevant and useless....I am doing this job as a favour....don’t tell me I have not seen you enough, I have done lots for you....You will grow out of ADHD....you are lucky I am treating you as you are borderline case....Go get a referral if you do not like my diagnosis....I can’t spend more time with you as am too busy with other people....I set the rules and if you don’t listen I will not treat you....Do not dare read books or internet on ADHD as lies and false and pointless....Other non drug treatments (CBT, counselling)do not work in adults for ADHD and no point so will not offer them to you, they only work in children...”
I have actually not done much reading at all on ADHD but with only 15 mins of time with him, then a diagnosis from this dr, I had no choice but to try find out more information for myself and ask sensible questions, as I recognise the potency of the drug treatment required here. His tone and manner was loud, angry and direct. I have also come to realise from speaking to the national ADHD support group and reading the soon to be published NICE guidelines on Adult ADHD, that his comments on growing out of ADHD, talking therapies not working, diagnosis best practice and sub types of the condition are all key and his comments were clearly mis-guided and ill informed
So in summary:
• A diagnosis of ADHD with treatment of Amphetamines/Stimulants by way of a 15 min appointment and a single page letter from my GP using only 6 odd questions. As an example the Bristol ADHD clinic (NHS not private) uses multiple Dr’s who are expert in ADHD and use questionnaires and over 4 hours of time to diagnosis and treat using a multi discipline approach.
• Aggressive, intimidating and sarcastic manner when I asked questions
• Totally misinformed and unskilled in ADHD
• Closed door to having any other non drug treatments
• No changes seen in situation with this Dr since previous complaints made for same concerns
I have been made aware that a fellow ADHD suffer in Cardiff named XXXXX, has also had an exact match in terms of his experiences with this Dr and has filed an official complaint. I now wish to follow suit and request the following actions:
• Full and thorough investigation into the above points raised
• The commencement of the process to offer me a second opinion at the Bristol ADHD clinic at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
• Full and detailed response outlining your comments and actions from the above
I shall be making my thoughts and experiences known publicly via my local MP, local media and online forums as I feel this is such a disgusting and worrying situation, especially as it has happened to others and nothing appears to have changed. I fear for mis-diagnosis, his prescribing of incorrect powerful drug treatments, weaker and less mentally capable people having to face the wrath and slapdash approach that Dr XXXXX has, and the simply inexcusable rudeness and poor level of service offered for ADHD in Cardiff (especially since the NICE guidelines are due shortly and show up Cardiff’s poor resource and knowledge of the condition).
I expect a speedy and empathetic response with the next 14 days before I intend to push forward with further exposure to others of the above. I should also mention that should I get adverse, life affecting or dangerous side effects/changes or health deterioration from the drugs and diagnosis made, I will not hesitate to pursue my legal rights relating to mal practice or similar using the above as evidence and other witnesses to the situation. I have already sought legal advice and independent expert opinion on this situation.
PS: I am still suffering with ADHD and its impact on my life whilst sorting this out – this has not exactly helped my recovery or management of the symptoms.
Yours Disappointed and concerned
Just to give you some idea of my problems with the NHS and make us all aware of how painful diagnosis can be - here is my complaint letter sent today to Chief Exec of NHS Cardiff Trust.
Comments and thoughts welcome:
Dear Mr XXXXX
I am writing to you with major concerns and upset over the recent series of appointments with an NHS Psychiatrist by the name of XXXXX at the XXXXX in Cardiff.
To introduce myself as briefly as I can, I am a 28 year old guy who lives in Cardiff. I work for a large bank as a senior marketing manager and am a graduate of Bristol University. I have found over the past 10 years that symptoms of abnormally poor concentration, motivation and periods of anxiety and mild depression have consumed my life. I felt that this made no sense as I have a wonderful wife, house, job and upbringing. I sought assistance from my local GP for CBT therapy and was told of a 2 yr waiting list and that I may want to pay myself to see someone. I was disappointed but not surprised. I proceeded to seek this therapy privately and it helped to a small degree. The main outcome was that the therapist suggested I push to see a specialist as he saw clear signs of ADHD in my manner and the problems I presented. This made some sense as not only were the symptoms matching up; a previous counsellor had suggested ADHD as well, and as my school teachers raised it many years ago. I saw my local GP (Dr XXXX at the XXXX medical surgery in XXXX, Cardiff). He was happy to refer me on, as current anxiety medications had not worked and he agreed with the potential diagnosis. I then was given an appointment 6-8 wks later to see a Dr XXXXX at the XXXXX to discuss ADHD or other potential causes of my problems. This is when my concerns developed.
Upon arrival at the Link Centre I was put in an office to see Dr XXXXX where immediately I was shocked by the fact he took 2 mobile phone calls in the middle of the appointment that I could tell were not medical emergencies. When he did seat himself, he rushed me on any answers of questions I made and it struck me that he wanted to get me in and out of the door asap. I was in the room with him for a total of 15 mins (minus his mobile call time). He asked me a total of 6 questions that were as superficial as what my job was, where I lived, what I studied, was I impulsive and how was my childhood. All of which I only got to offer a few words comment on. With this information and the single page letter from my GP asking him to see me, he diagnosed ADHD. As I had heard that the condition is complex, varied and specialist, and that most experts in this field talk to patients for up to 1-2 hours before they can ascertain a diagnosis, I was very worried. Dr XXXXX then asked me to return the following week to take some tests. I returned and completed 2 tests (Connors scale and a 300+ question personality form). He then maintained his diagnosis and asked me to return to commence stimulants medication treatment the next week. This next appointment is where the most alarming statements were made.
In the appointment he had a trainee Dr with him and again his manner was someone who was rushed and churning out the patients. Yet, he did not seem to be behind on appointment times, nor was there anyone hassling him to get through appointments. In the meeting, I brought a list of 6 short simple questions about the treatment and my diagnosis concerns. The moment I raised my first question on treatment, Dr XXXXX launched himself into an aggressive, angry and stern attack on me and my questions. The following are quotes from statements he made to me:
“You will not tell me what to prescribe...I am the only person who will help you/treat you in Cardiff...These drugs could cause you to drop dead or kill you suddenly if you do not listen to me...ADHD is commercial and controversial and abused by some to get treatment...the different types of ADHD are irrelevant and useless....I am doing this job as a favour....don’t tell me I have not seen you enough, I have done lots for you....You will grow out of ADHD....you are lucky I am treating you as you are borderline case....Go get a referral if you do not like my diagnosis....I can’t spend more time with you as am too busy with other people....I set the rules and if you don’t listen I will not treat you....Do not dare read books or internet on ADHD as lies and false and pointless....Other non drug treatments (CBT, counselling)do not work in adults for ADHD and no point so will not offer them to you, they only work in children...”
I have actually not done much reading at all on ADHD but with only 15 mins of time with him, then a diagnosis from this dr, I had no choice but to try find out more information for myself and ask sensible questions, as I recognise the potency of the drug treatment required here. His tone and manner was loud, angry and direct. I have also come to realise from speaking to the national ADHD support group and reading the soon to be published NICE guidelines on Adult ADHD, that his comments on growing out of ADHD, talking therapies not working, diagnosis best practice and sub types of the condition are all key and his comments were clearly mis-guided and ill informed
So in summary:
• A diagnosis of ADHD with treatment of Amphetamines/Stimulants by way of a 15 min appointment and a single page letter from my GP using only 6 odd questions. As an example the Bristol ADHD clinic (NHS not private) uses multiple Dr’s who are expert in ADHD and use questionnaires and over 4 hours of time to diagnosis and treat using a multi discipline approach.
• Aggressive, intimidating and sarcastic manner when I asked questions
• Totally misinformed and unskilled in ADHD
• Closed door to having any other non drug treatments
• No changes seen in situation with this Dr since previous complaints made for same concerns
I have been made aware that a fellow ADHD suffer in Cardiff named XXXXX, has also had an exact match in terms of his experiences with this Dr and has filed an official complaint. I now wish to follow suit and request the following actions:
• Full and thorough investigation into the above points raised
• The commencement of the process to offer me a second opinion at the Bristol ADHD clinic at the Bristol Royal Infirmary.
• Full and detailed response outlining your comments and actions from the above
I shall be making my thoughts and experiences known publicly via my local MP, local media and online forums as I feel this is such a disgusting and worrying situation, especially as it has happened to others and nothing appears to have changed. I fear for mis-diagnosis, his prescribing of incorrect powerful drug treatments, weaker and less mentally capable people having to face the wrath and slapdash approach that Dr XXXXX has, and the simply inexcusable rudeness and poor level of service offered for ADHD in Cardiff (especially since the NICE guidelines are due shortly and show up Cardiff’s poor resource and knowledge of the condition).
I expect a speedy and empathetic response with the next 14 days before I intend to push forward with further exposure to others of the above. I should also mention that should I get adverse, life affecting or dangerous side effects/changes or health deterioration from the drugs and diagnosis made, I will not hesitate to pursue my legal rights relating to mal practice or similar using the above as evidence and other witnesses to the situation. I have already sought legal advice and independent expert opinion on this situation.
PS: I am still suffering with ADHD and its impact on my life whilst sorting this out – this has not exactly helped my recovery or management of the symptoms.
Yours Disappointed and concerned