Thursday 5 February 2015

Psychological therapies - what's happening about waiting lists in Mid & South Powys?

Jane Cooke of our mental health team recently supported the organisation of a meeting in Llandrindod Wells to look at the long waiting lists for psychological therapies in Mid and South Powys. She reports now on what happened on the day.


The Psychology Services in Mid and South Powys have very long waiting lists. There are also waiting lists, but not so long, to see a counsellor based at GP surgeries. (Psychology Services in Mid and South Powys are provide by Aneurin Bevan Health Board and in the North of Powys are provided by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board).


In response to this the Psychology Services, some counsellors who work in GP practices, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations (PAVO), people on the waiting lists and Public Health Wales worked together to plan and put on an event to talk with people who are on the waiting lists.

Around 30 people who are waiting for psychology services or counselling came on the 3rd February to a meeting in Llandrindod Wells to give their views about what it is like to be on the waiting list, what information people get, or don’t get, and what is it like receiving letters asking if you still want to be on the list.


People also had a chance to find out more about what else is on offer from, for example, Mind groups and other voluntary and third sector groups.

Mr Foxxman and Anna
There was a strong commitment from the Psychology Services to respond quickly to issues raised where possible, for example by changing the wording on letters, thinking through how to better keep in touch and demonstrate that there is concern for people. There were other ideas that will take longer to develop and find funding for around peer and buddying possibilities for support. There is a commitment from PAVO to continue to work with Psychology Services, supporting the participation of people who use services where required and considering the options for developing joint or partnership work. Public Health Wales also stated its support for this process as it develops.

This event is going to be of interest to other services across Wales. The simple act of getting people together and asking their views is not as widespread in the NHS as may be imagined. The fact that this was a positive experience for those who organised the event and those who attended, with some significant improvements resulting, will encourage others to adopt a similar approach.

We will continue to report developments!

What do you think about the waiting lists? Have they affected you? Let us know in the comments box below.

10 comments:

  1. I was also at this event and despite the waiting list situation being really lamentable I noticed that people made a huge effort to channel anger and frustration into positive comments and suggestions. I now have every confidence that the psychologists and other agencies will improve this situation as much as they can.
    Hopefully the politicians will also see that there are many hugely talented people amongst mental health patients and invest in us a lot more.

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  2. Hi Anon
    Many thanks for the comment. It sounds like it was really helpful to have this event and give people the opportunity to share their views and look for positive options in what is clearly a difficult situation. Great to hear from someone who attended.
    Jackie

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  3. I also attended this event in February. But despite promises that they would keep us in the loop, I have not heard anything from them since then.

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  4. Hi

    Thanks for the comment and I'm sorry you haven't heard anything from them since the meeting. I will follow up with my colleagues and post an update as soon as I have one.

    Jackie

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  5. We’re sorry that it’s taken a while to update everyone that was at this event. We took the feedback we received really seriously and have continued to meet as a group to take forward the actions identified that day. We will be writing to everyone involved again to give an update. We will also send details to PAVO so that they can post on this blog. Thank you for your continued interest and support. -Posted on behalf of the Working Group for this event

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  6. I've just happened to check in again here and seen your message, Jane. I don't get automatic updates for this blog, so I'm not sure how I will know when PAVO post an update.

    We were absolutely assured at the event that we would be kept in the loop and that we would hear something within the month. That was in February, and I'm still waiting. I've been apologised to twice now - but STILL no more information. This is getting daft!

    It is distressing enough hearing in the news this week that waiting lists have been cut from 56 days to 28 days - but I've now been waiting 915 days - and that's not counting the year it took to get on the waiting list in the first place.

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    1. Hi Lucy - I will pass your comments on to the Psychology dept. I do know that a draft of a letter has been worked on - I'll see if they can give a time for that - is there a way we could let you know when things are coming up on the blog - or other things going on with us at PAVO - if there is you can email me jane.cooke@pavo.org or ring 01597 822191 - I work Mon- Wed

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  7. I believe that the Waiting Times being cut from 56 to 28 days refers to an assessment only and in Local Primary Mental Health Care Teams. It does not, I understand refer to Psychology Waiting Times of which there does not appear to be Welsh Govt Targets for- Perhaps if more monies were spent on Psychological Services rather than Medical Personnel then the Waiting Times would naturally reduce.

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    1. Hi Anonymous -I can't answer your point off the top of my head - I'll find out what I can to see what work there is going on that could help reduce waiting times - if you want me to let you know directly you can email as in the above response - and I will in any case put information up when I have it - but (I'm aware of the irony here!) it may take me a while. Jane

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    2. That's not actually correct. Assessment has to be done within 28 days. The new target takes the wait thereafter from 56 days down to 28 days (total combined wait to 8 weeks). However, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Powys/AB have got confused and are reporting the assessment waits rather the combined waits. :/
      http://gov.wales/newsroom/healthandsocialcare/2015/mental/?lang=en

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