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I have a friend, who has not been very well and recently been admitted into psychiatric hospital. He finds the staff not too helpful as they will not listen to him or acknowledge his views (which he needs to feel valued), and his GP and counsellors at his local health centre are the only ones in the NHS who understand him.
When I visit him, it makes a difference for someone who understands him to let him speak his mind and a discussion with him, so he asked me to contact the health centre so that someone could get in touch since he asked staff within the ward and they did nothing. This would help him to feel better in himself, but unfortunately these NHS workers would not honour his request through me.
I told them I was representing him and if they want to check anything then get in touch with him, but they refused to try, which is making his time more miserable. If they could have acknowledged or contacted him then that would be something, but they are behaving as if nobody has said anything.
I know there is patient confidentiality but I am not asking for any information if - I saw someone dying and asked for help, would they refuse owing to the fact that the dying person had not given me his consent to ask for help?
Some GPs are the worst mannered people when trying to help someone who does not have the capacity or confidence to speak out and needs help. They ignore us as if we have not been in touch and so will exaggerate the problems for patients. I know how much this reluctance has worked my friend up and just a visit form his counsellor would make a big difference due to familiarity.
They might be busy but manners cost nothing. The fact some have no courtesy is a really bad thing as well.
By: Mad Max
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However, my friend is still waiting a visit he was promised. We will have to wait and see.
So, after spending a hell of a lot of my time almost constantly in cleaning confused, mentally ill patients, to recieve nothing but abuse till they leave with no "thankyou for your help", doesn't exactly fill me with morale, happiness and well being. You see, most people, even yourself, couldn't continue smiling after a few months of this.
Most staff adopt a care free attitude that is better for them. The patients are still well looked after, but you couldn't give a damn what relatives or patients think because it's almost always annoying and frustrating. It does however lead to problems like you have brought up.
I'm damn good at what I do and I always try to act intrested and respond to others views, but a lot of staff tend to ignore it. It is shameful behaviour, but it's a way of coping with the job.
No that doesn't mean I need to get another job. I completely agree with what you have said, but if you don't believe me, try working on a psyc ward and see for yourself how hard it REALLY is.
Samy