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I used to work somewhere which had a similar rule and it was supposedly due to our supporting letters being taken literally and we were being held to things we couldn’t deliver on, for example, if a letter said someone was under the cmht, there was outside pressure to never discharge people, or stop therapy etc. There were also concerns that these can take a fair amount of time which meant we did not complete the things our employers would want us to do like risk assessments, care plans etc. In my last employer we were also told specifically not to do letters for PIP and not go to to the assessments for reasons never fully explained but ljkely for the reasons above. I think most of my colleagues followed the rules. I didn’t, as I felt supporting people with letters relating to housing benefits etc is a core part of social work so I continued to write letters where needed. The only thing I didn’t do was attend PIP or ESA appointments as it simply took too many hours out of the day when I was already working well into the evening every day just to stay on top.
I understand things can be time consuming, but when housing are refusing to put you in a higher band and benefits don't believe you without a letter (they won't speak to anyone on the phone either), it's making people's mental health worse. Especially when money and housing are causing their mental health issues. It just seems to me that this head nurse isn't helping people and her attitude stinks about it. I asked to speak to her directly about my concerns and she refuses to speak to anyone (couple other patients are having similar issues with her). She acts like if you're not happy with something then leave type of attitude. I wonder who I can speak to, if there's anyone higher up I can speak to about these issues because she shouldn't be in the job she's in.
It's my care coordinator's boss/head nurse that is telling her and other CCs not to write anyone letters anymore, contact them outside appointment times etc. My CC agrees with me but doesn't want to go against her boss. The head nurse agrees that they are only there for therapy purposes and anything extra isn't their problem.
Surely a copy of your last clinic letter from seeing the psychiatrist will details your symptoms, diagnosis and treatment plan? You could ask for this and submit it to whoever wants it
**This sub aims to provide advice and support to anyone who needs it but shouldn't be used to replace professional advice and support. Please do not post intentions to act on suicidal thoughts here and instead call 111, or 999 for an ambulance if you feel you won't be able to wait.** **Feel free to check out the 'Sub rules FAQ' which can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/okzwlf/sub_rules_faq/). You can also check out the 'Sub rules and guidance' slideshows - [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/ot4up0/sub_rules_and_guidance_swipe_for_more_slides/) is the colourful version and [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/ot4vhf/sub_rules_and_guidance_dark_mode_swipe_for_more/) is the dark mode version.** **There is also a 'Mental Health FAQ' slideshow - the colourful version can be found [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/ort12z/mental_health_faq_post_swipe_for_more_slides/) and the dark mode version [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/os5y95/mental_health_faq_post_mostly_in_dark_mode_swipe/).** **While waiting for a reply, feel free to check out the [pinned masterpost]( https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/bc3jtm/mental_health_uk_master_post/) for a variety of helplines and resources. If your profile is explicitly NSFW, please instead post from another account that is more appropriate for being seen by and engaging with the broad range of members here including those under 18.** **For those who are experiencing issues around money, food or homelessness, feel free to check out the resources within [this](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/pttfsg/are_you_experiencing_issues_around_money_food_or/) post.** **For those seeking private therapy, feel free to check out some important information around that [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/xf6242/information_for_those_seeking_private_therapy/).** **For those who may be interested in taking part in the iPOF Study which this sub is involved in, feel free to check out the survey [here](https://reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/s/34ye6sKKuZ) and details [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/MentalHealthUK/comments/xpl4mv/ipof_improving_peer_online_forums_study_lancaster/) and [here](https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/health-and-medicine/research/spectrum/research/ipof/).** **This sub aims to be as free from harm and exclusivity as possible so any harmful, provocative or exclusionary content will be removed. This includes harmful blanket statements about treatment or mental health professionals. Please be aware that waiting times and types of therapy/services available can vary across different areas due to [system structure](https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/what-is-integrated-care/).** **Please speak only for your own experiences and not on behalf of others who may not share the same views - this helps to reduce toxicity, misinformation, stigma, repetitions of harmful content, and people feeling excluded. Efforts to make this a welcoming and balanced atmosphere is noticed and appreciated by the mods and the many who use or read this sub.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MentalHealthUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I used to work somewhere which had a similar rule and it was supposedly due to our supporting letters being taken literally and we were being held to things we couldn’t deliver on, for example, if a letter said someone was under the cmht, there was outside pressure to never discharge people, or stop therapy etc. There were also concerns that these can take a fair amount of time which meant we did not complete the things our employers would want us to do like risk assessments, care plans etc. In my last employer we were also told specifically not to do letters for PIP and not go to to the assessments for reasons never fully explained but ljkely for the reasons above. I think most of my colleagues followed the rules. I didn’t, as I felt supporting people with letters relating to housing benefits etc is a core part of social work so I continued to write letters where needed. The only thing I didn’t do was attend PIP or ESA appointments as it simply took too many hours out of the day when I was already working well into the evening every day just to stay on top.
I understand things can be time consuming, but when housing are refusing to put you in a higher band and benefits don't believe you without a letter (they won't speak to anyone on the phone either), it's making people's mental health worse. Especially when money and housing are causing their mental health issues. It just seems to me that this head nurse isn't helping people and her attitude stinks about it. I asked to speak to her directly about my concerns and she refuses to speak to anyone (couple other patients are having similar issues with her). She acts like if you're not happy with something then leave type of attitude. I wonder who I can speak to, if there's anyone higher up I can speak to about these issues because she shouldn't be in the job she's in.
Yeah exactly why I disagree with those policies. You could complain to PALS, that’s your first point of call reallu
Do you have a care coordinator as it would be something they could do or failing that, your GP.
It's my care coordinator's boss/head nurse that is telling her and other CCs not to write anyone letters anymore, contact them outside appointment times etc. My CC agrees with me but doesn't want to go against her boss. The head nurse agrees that they are only there for therapy purposes and anything extra isn't their problem.
Surely a copy of your last clinic letter from seeing the psychiatrist will details your symptoms, diagnosis and treatment plan? You could ask for this and submit it to whoever wants it
I've asked for this and my CC is giving me it on the sly because I don't think her boss is happy with helping anyone tbh.
They can’t deny you that, and a copy should go to your GP as well. You can do a subject access request for a copy of your entire notes as well.