Roaming Brit
  • Blog
  • The Story Of Us
  • Other Blogs
    • Forever Enduring Cycles Blog 2015 >
      • Forever Enduring Cycles
      • Bipolarcoaster
      • Books For Sale
  • Gallery
  • Spain
    • First Month
    • Three Months
    • Six Months
    • One Year
    • 2 Year Anniversary
    • Spanish Views
    • Gran Alacant >
      • GA Advertiser
      • Gran Alacant News
      • LoungeD
      • No Wives Club
  • About
    • New Life
    • Wedding
    • 21 Years
    • Timeline
    • My Story
    • Australia 2016/17
  • Guest Bloggers
    • Penelope Wren
    • Debra Rufini
    • Claire Coe
    • Richard Guy
    • Optimistic Mummy
    • Julie Rawlinson
    • Letters Of Hope
  • Links
  • Contact
  • My Writing
    • Short Stories From My Youth
    • Verruca Almond
    • The Streets

From a new life in spain, to an old life in britain, 'roaming brit' documents uncertain times!

Picture

On 31st January 2016, my partner and I left Southampton to start a new life as Expats in Gran Alacant, on the Costa Blanca. This blog will document our journey, as we navigate the Spanish system, travelling a path untried and untested. With Brexit looming, political turmoil in Europe and an unpredictable future, harsh decisions have to be made. Illness, family bonds and a Change of heart all make for challenging times in a life of a 'Roaming Brit!'

Picture

Our Failing NHS

19/4/2015

0 Comments

 
It's only when you become ill, that you notice the state of The National Health Service, today in Britain; boy, what a state this National Institution is in!  Mental Health seems to be the poor relation, when it comes to allocation of resources. It is the biggest health problem today and yet the funds to provide even a basic service don't exist. While our taxes still pay for cosmetic surgery to remove tattoo's for example, Mental Health Care budgets have been slashed; this is not acceptable. The Government need to seriously, radically and properly rethink The NHS, from administration, waiting lists and especially the standard of care offered!

As I am frequently told, Bipolar is a chronic illness, requiring constant monitoring and a lifetime of care, support and medication.  The most crucial aspect is time.  If a quick diagnosis is not given, it can literally mean a choice between life and death.

Eight months ago I gave up medication.  It had been failing for sometime.  I tried to take my own life, because the powers that be  offered no immediate help.  Another waiting list for someone who did not have the luxury of waiting.  The mental anguish and yes the physical pain involved in failing drugs was intense.  Many people with Manic Depression consider taking their own life and a high percentage succeed. Fast, effective diagnosis and a new, more suitable medication regime is crucial in preventing a relapse, harm and much, much worse.   Lives are lost every day because of inadequate services, unacceptable diagnosis, unskilled staff and incompetence!

Over Easter, I had a complete relapse.  Once again I attempted to kill myself.  My partner phoned The Police, who turned up immediately.  I was arrested for my own safety and that of my partners.  Thank God he phoned, or I would not be here today. He feels guilty every day, which is wrong.  With no secure Hospital accommodation available, lack of beds and ignorance, I was put in a cell.  The Police were truly marvellous.  The Duty Officer admitted I should not be there, but they were picking up the pieces of a broken system, that regards Police Cells as a suitable alternative to a Hospital bed.  I just about understood the seriousness of the situation and was just grateful they had taken me in.  Mania is dangerous, life is precious.

I was led from the cells in the morning to a room, where four Mental Health professionals were waiting. After assessment, they could not section me under the Mental Health Act, because there were no beds.  I tried to section myself, to no avail. Quite simply I agreed a plan with them in writing.  Darrell picked me up and was charged with my care and the administration of medication, and we were taken to the local GP surgery.  At that stage I was dangerously manic; my Doctor recognised how serious the situation was.  I was in severe physical pain, and he tried to get me into a psychiatric centre that day.  It wasn't quite that straight forward,  I was told to go home and wait for a call to admit me.  I was left in the care of my partner and a friend, Natalee.  I'm not sure how bad I was, but I believe it was upsetting for those who were there.  After three hours of calls, no psychiatric appointment was given due to a shortage of staff.  Darrell rushed back to the surgery to obtain sedatives as a temporary measure to prevent any further harm over the Easter period.

They prescribed a high dosage of the very pills that failed me eight months ago.  I don't really remember Easter.  Darrell physically cried when I took that first dosage again.  It was something I had fought against, battled to avoid and just could not face. Within half an hour I was gone.

Long after Easter I eventually managed to see a consultant.  She believed I also had undiagnosed ADD.  She would send a fax to the surgery to obtain another diagnosis. Yet another GP appointment and my notes had gone missing.  How the hell can they mislay a fax.  You have to bear in mind that this was three weeks later.  My temporary sedation was becoming permanent.  Darrell lost his temper.  By this time the meds were failing, I was, as I am today sinking into frightening lows and all they could offer was more of the same.  Officially now Darrell is my carer.  A bit power crazed, he demanded an immediate referral, which she agreed to do there and then.  About an hour after we left I received a call.  There would be an appointment letter in the post, but waiting times are long.

This is an extremely disturbing time.  My health is at risk, I need to get back to work and my depression is getting darker and darker.  I can't wait.  I will be dead if I don't.

We have taken the decision to go private.  My work, insurance and commitment from others, not the NHS, will pay for a private assessment.  I don't care how much it costs, I have no option.

What a sorry state our bloody NHS is in.  I can afford to pay, I shouldn't have too, but my future is important.  I see no future without this course of action.  Yes I am desperate for answers, without them I can not move forward; here's hoping!
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    48-year-old Author and professional blogger. Expat formerly living in Gran Alacant on the Costa Blanca! Currently, residing in my home town of Portsmouth on the south coast of England!

    Picture

      Contact Luke.

    Submit
    Picture
    Click me & email for more information!
    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Asia-2019
    Australia
    Bettys-revenge
    Bipolar
    Bipolarcoaster
    Britain
    Bullying
    Business
    Cancer-research
    Cats
    Characters-i-have-known
    Charity
    Charlatan-or-confidant
    Christmas-thoughts
    Claybornes-world
    Coming-out-stories
    Cooking
    Coronavirus
    Current Affairs Politics
    Darrell In The Uk
    Dunbars
    Easy Horse Care
    Events
    Events That Shaped My World
    Family
    Fascinating-facts
    Gran-alacant
    Guestbloggers
    Guest-bloggers
    Ibs
    Immigration
    Information
    Inspirational People
    Interviews
    Japan And Thailand 2020
    Jersey-2019
    Lockdown-life-in-photos
    Lounge-d
    Luke-martin-jones-awards
    Memories-of-fareham
    Memories-of-home
    Memories-of-southampton
    Memories-of-spain
    Me-too-oxfam
    Milestones
    Moving
    My Life
    My Writing
    Non Touch Toast
    Oxfam Sociopathy
    Penelopewren
    Penelope-wren
    Photographs-of-hope
    Quotes
    Rabs-world
    Reviewing-gran-alacant
    Santa-pola
    Self-isolation
    Shopping
    Short-stories-from-my-youth
    Short-stories-from-my-youth
    Southampton
    Spiritual
    Teaching-jamie
    The-darkness
    The-streets
    The Two Of Us
    Travel
    Verruca-almond
    Visits From Friends
    War In Europe
    Weight Loss & Health
    Year-in-review-2017
    Year-in-review-2018
    Year-in-review-2019
    Year In Review 2020
    Year In Review 2021
    Zest

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Tweets by realtruthblog
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture


    Instagram
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    A place to call home
    Finally, a place we can call home.  A community of like minded individuals, who used to call Britain home.  Now Spain is our choice, an altogether gentler, happier, sunnier and safer experience!
            Luke Feb 16
    Picture
Picture

Telephone

+447999663360

Email

lukemartin.jones@gmail.com
  • Blog
  • The Story Of Us
  • Other Blogs
    • Forever Enduring Cycles Blog 2015 >
      • Forever Enduring Cycles
      • Bipolarcoaster
      • Books For Sale
  • Gallery
  • Spain
    • First Month
    • Three Months
    • Six Months
    • One Year
    • 2 Year Anniversary
    • Spanish Views
    • Gran Alacant >
      • GA Advertiser
      • Gran Alacant News
      • LoungeD
      • No Wives Club
  • About
    • New Life
    • Wedding
    • 21 Years
    • Timeline
    • My Story
    • Australia 2016/17
  • Guest Bloggers
    • Penelope Wren
    • Debra Rufini
    • Claire Coe
    • Richard Guy
    • Optimistic Mummy
    • Julie Rawlinson
    • Letters Of Hope
  • Links
  • Contact
  • My Writing
    • Short Stories From My Youth
    • Verruca Almond
    • The Streets