‘I felt violated after referral to mental health services’
A WOMAN who had an unexpected referral to mental health services at the Oberlands said she felt violated and like 'a drug addict' after an appointment with the duty and intervention team and being prescribed anti-psychotic medication.
Aimee Coutu has been treated for anxiety and OCD – obsessive compulsive disorder – for many years, but about three years ago she said she started getting bad panic attacks, along with vertigo.
After speaking to her GP, she was put on a low dose of Diazepam, which she said helped, and the worst passed, but she carried on with a small dosage of the drug for times when she felt she needed it.
However, last year she hurt her back and, after co-codamol painkillers did not work, she was prescribed the stronger tramadol, which she took twice a day.
‘I was still suffering at this point,’ she said. ‘I was having about four, maybe five panic attacks a week. It was horrible.’
By the end of the year, she was still in pain and even the strong painkillers were not helping. She was sent for an MRI scan and referred to the pain clinic.
The scan revealed that muscle damage was the issue.
During this period, Mrs Coutu’s OCD had become a problem again. Her GP decided to refer her to the Oberlands for therapy and she started working with its recovery and wellbeing service and seeing a psychologist.
She said she was advised to ask her GP to change the dosage of her prescribed medication, after which her GP referred her to the Oberlands’ duty and intervention team.
She said this came as a double shock – once when she received the appointment and again when she went to the meeting.
She said she had no idea that this referral was being made and felt 'betrayed' by her GP.
But the meeting itself made her feel even worse.
‘I have never felt so violated,’ she said. ‘They were asking me questions like I was a drug addict. Like I had these really severe problems, when all I ever did was go to my doctor with panic attacks and anxiety.’
Mrs Coutu does not drink and said she had never had any form of drug addiction.
‘I came out of that meeting feeling 10 times worse. I no longer want to work with them. I won’t take my medication now and I feel like I’ve been physically and verbally attacked, all because someone from a mental health team suggested taking two 5mg diazepam. I feel like I’m being judged.’
GP and HSC respond
IslandHealth, where Mrs Coutu is a patient, would not comment on the case.
‘In such a small community, confidentiality is fundamentally important,’ it said.
‘However, all GPs at IslandHealth follow the principles of good medical practice as outlined by the General Medical Council, which covers the principles of consent and shared decision-making.’
It said a patient with concerns should raise them with the practice first.
‘If the patient wishes to take a matter further, they are within their rights to do so, and Guernsey’s responsible officer, Dr Peter Rabey, is the individual they should write to.’
Health & Social Care said it would not discuss an individual patient.
‘If anyone is concerned with the services they receive, they should discuss this with the relevant clinicians or contact the customer complaints team on 01481 220000 or email customercarehsc@gov.gg.’
