I was wondering how a reservist can access to RMHT if their Gp wont refar them as in my case, this is because she say i'm having councilling sessions with a therapist who has diagnosed me with PTSD and depression

Is your counselling connected to your PTSD? And if so do you think it's helping?

I can understand why if you are getting treatment for your PTSD and it's helping she won't refer you elsewhere, as receiving help from two different sources for the same thing would be counter productive and not helpful.

If the counselling ISN'T for that purpose then I'm not sure why she hasn't/won't referred you and I would ask again and make sure she understands exactly what the service is for.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by lesliehannah

I was wondering how a reservist can access to RMHT if their Gp wont refar them as in my case, this is because she say i'm having councilling sessions with a therapist who has diagnosed me with PTSD and depression

You can self refer to Combat Stress, if you contact them they should in the first instance send a Regional Welfare Officer to see you.

But ideally he/she should be seen by the RMHP first.

Not quite sure what a counsellor is doing diagnosing psychiatric illnesses either, but that's a separate issue!

Hi everyone,
The councilor was put in place because of symtoms of depression and flashbacks relating to incidents that had been related to service, ihave spoken to the vet agency welfar officer who has refarred me to Combat Stress i am awaiting a visit from a welfare officer had no date yet. but they say that they work alongside the other agencies and don't take over your care but as of yet i have not seen a doc yet to get it diagnosed properly. and no i don't think my councilling is working it's just turning up ever other week for a chat, i have said this to the councillor but its like talking to a machine who is'nt listening

That being the case I would insist that the GP refers you to the RMHP and explain that the counselling isn't working. CS do work alongside the other agencies and should be seen as an addition rather than instead of the other services available.

The other option would be to ring Chilwell direct and explain what's going on to the RMHP and see if they have any suggestions.

Thanks for that i might just try that and see what happens, I was wondering if that when Combat stress come on board that they may help down those lines.
Thanks for you help it seems as though you go around in circuls getting know were fast.

Mainly for veterans but here are a couple more links that people may find useful-

South Wales-
http://www.cvmhdp.org.uk/content/pub...p?Page=&id=120

MAP Programme-
http://www.veterans-uk.info/map/announcement.html

Humberside-
http://www.humber.nhs.uk/templates/Page.aspx?id=4454

Camden and Islington (London!)-
http://www.candi.nhs.uk/pages/go.asp...2&instance=451

Staffordshire-
http://www.southstaffshealthcare.nhs...007/281107.asp

Lothian-
http://www.riverscentre.org.uk/

I believe there are similar schemes in Cornwall and Newcastle upon Tyne too, but haven't been able to trace the details. I understand that at least some of these services will take referrals from other trusts.

some additional details:

The Department of Health and the Ministry of Defence have launched the first of a number of pilots designed to ensure that NHS health professionals have appropriate support and available expertise they may need to treat veterans with mental health problems. The four UK health departments, the MOD, and the charity Combat Stress, have been working together closely to develop and pilot a new model of community-based mental health care.

Treatment options will include the commissioning of services offered by Combat Stress. .

In the interim, the MOD’s Medical Assessment Programme (MAP) offers expert mental health assessments to any veteran with mental health problems who has served in operations since 1982; in particular, for areas not yet involved in the pilots, this offers support where a GP may be concerned that he has not fully understood the military background to a veteran’s problem or who wishes specialist advice on the treatment options. The MAP is currently staffed by Dr Ian Palmer, an ex-serving military medical officer. He is a qualified GP and Consultant Psychiatrist.


Contact Details for the Clinics launched so far:

South Stafford and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Patrick Bourke – CV MHT
Coton House
St George’s Hospital Site
Corporation Street
Stafford ST16 3AG
Tel: 01785 257888 ext 5280
E-mail: Patrick.Bourke@sssft.nhs.uk

Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust
Graham Fawcett – CV MHT
The Traumatic Stress Clinic
73 Charlotte Street
London
W1T 4PL
Tel: 020 7530 3666
E-mail: Graham.Fawcett@candi.nhs.uk

Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust
Neil Kitchiner – CV MHT
University Hospital of Wales
Heath Park
Cardiff
CF14 4XW
Tel: 029 2074 2284
E-mail: neil.kitchiner@cardiffandvale.wales.nhs.uk
Website: http://www.veterans-mhs-cvct.org/

Community Veterans Mental Health Service
Trevillis House
Lodge Hill
Liskeard
Cornwall
PL14 4NE
Tel: 01579 335226
Fax: 01579 335245
Email: Veteran.Assistance@cornwall.nhs.uk

Medical Assessment Programme - MAP
Dr Ian Palmer
Head of Medical Assessment Programme
Baird Medical Centre
Gassiott House
St Thomas Hospital
Lambeth Palace Road
London
SE1 7EH
E-mail: map@gstt.nhs.uk
Freephone Helpline: 0800 169 5401

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
Psychological Therapy Service
Symon Day - Veterans Mental Health Therapist
St Aidans House
St Aidans Walk
Bishop Auckland
County Durham
DL14 6SA
Tel: 01388 646 802
symon.day@TEWV.nhs.uk

The Scottish Pilot will be hosted by Ayshire & Arran NHS Trust - more details to follow.


SOURCE

Originally Posted by Goatman

The Scottish Pilot will be hosted by Ayshire & Arran NHS Trust - more details to follow.

Thank you for that i would be very interested to hear what details fall out of it.