EXCLUSIVE: Tayside patient made to see 17 different psychiatrists in a decade

Tay News can exclusively reveal a patient in Tayside was made to see 17 different psychiatrists in the space of ten years.

This wasn’t mentioned in the interim report investigating mental health services in NHS Tayside – which was published back in May.

However, it was included in a draft of this report which we’ve obtained through a Freedom of Information request.

In May’s copy this had been re-worded to say: “Several patients report having been treated by many different psychiatrists when engaged in mental health services and diagnoses may change as each consultant takes a professionally different view.”

The independent inquiry say the reason for changing this was to make it clear that it wasn’t just one isolated case.

Instead it was one of a number of cases where patients had been treated by many different psychiatrists over a period of time.

They added: “This, in our view, raises more serious concerns in terms of continuity and consistency of care as it clearly applies to several people rather than just the one we originally mentioned in our draft report.”

It’s raised concerns about the continuity of care in the region. Labour Health Spokesperson Monica Lennon: “People who have poor mental health absolutely need continuity of care and relationships with clinicians are really important.

“It’s unsettling for patients that there has been such a high turnover of mental health staff in NHS Tayside.

“We know that mental health patients across Tayside have reported difficult experiences.

“It’s really important the independent inquiry fully investigates these circumstances.”

But she also thought the draft document shouldn’t have been changed: “Things that make uncomfortable reading should really be left in the report so that people can make up their own minds about what happened with NHS Tayside and whether any improvement have been made.”

Kieran Smart’s has gone through a similar experience at NHS Tayside’s Carseview Centre.

He says in four visits he’s seen three different specialists and that it has a negative impact on his recovery.

“It’s a hard thing to open up about – mental health. I think getting comfortable with someone is a big part of it, definitely.

“If it’s constantly changing or you go in one day and you’re seeing someone, and then two weeks later there’s someone new sitting in front you it’s really hard,” he said.

He added: “Once you get comfortable to someone you are able to open to them.

“If you then leave the hospital then go in and suddenly start fresh with someone new, me personally for a couple of weeks I won’t open up at all.

“I’ll just give yes and no answers, I won’t speak until I’ve built a trust with them.

“Luckily for the past year I’ve had the same nurse, but in the first year I had about three.

“It does take me a while top actually build a trust because I just don’t open up to people.”

Meanwhile, a Scottish Government spokesperson said:

“We expect all mental health services to be delivered to the highest standards – and the safety of patients and staff in our mental health services is paramount.

“The Independent Inquiry’s final report will make recommendations that will shape the delivery of mental health services not only in Tayside, but across Scotland.

“The creation of a new Quality and Safety Board will ensure these recommendations shape our national approach.

“The Chair of the Inquiry has guaranteed that this work has always been – and will continue to be – independent.

“The Independent Inquiry team has gathered evidence from a substantial number of stakeholders across different sectors, and it is vital that their important work continues to take place without intrusion."