"Poor"
I am 17 at time of this review and 18 in a week and struggling with mental health and contacted FTB on 4.1.26 and spoken to doctor andrew ! And he was not helpful on the phone saying if you need support go to accident and emergancey if you need support . I am going to take this further but awful service if 0 starts could be done it would or below I mean everyone exprenince is different but I mean I am a young man with complex mental health conditions and they are terrible and they won't hear from last of me this is going further .They need a mental health A+E . Even the ai app Chat GPT app can give you better tips .
"Should be called backward thinking!"
A poor service that fails to help people like me. They agree I need help but have admitted that they cannot and that I should seek support elsewhere. Very frustrating for my family and I.
"Poor service"
Was in the care of crisis home team and I felt unsupported and unresponded to. I was meant to be updated TWICE on meetings with what they think I had and I wasn't ONCE. I had to put in my own research in order to have their advice of just "distractions" work. I wasn't distracted once and I asked for help which I was not met with. I've now been discharged to my GP who are STRIPPED for resources and they're even doing a better job. Didn't help with an autism referral they were meant to and just signposted me. I'm working with a counselor and may have to wait another 5 WEEKS to get the CBT I need.
"I'm livid"
They lost the referral and the whole process had to start again. I'm livid.
"Okay"
It's been relatively okay. Some nice staff some not nice staff. I'm currently 17. Suddenly discharged with false information provided on the letter when I called to ask about it I was met with a woman saying to me "your thoughts are just thoughts and you need to be able to keep yourself safe." Not to mention that they suddenly left me with not meds after prescription. I was meant to be updated about all the meetings going on with me and was promised different kinds of therapies but now they know I'm on the waiting list for LWC they suddenly want to discharge me. However, I cannot fault them for taking care of me and their reassurance. Especially one. The staff don't judge you no matter what you say it seems. Was also discharged with having "gender issues" which is because I'm trans which I'm very kind of comfortable with even though I would like to fully transition. I was also not told what they think I have/would be diagnosed with. Was also told to go to A&E if I needed this process to restart. Which made me very distressed even if I was already panicking.
"Terrible service, don't know what they're doing"
Rubbish service they transfer you to all different teams not one of them know what they're doing . Even my doctor agrees terrible service ... Don't use
"Waiting 2 years+ so far"
My young adult son has Autism. He also has ADHD. He has waited 2 years and 2 months so far for help and support. I have become severely disabled this year. He is now my carer. We are completely overwhelmed. His mental health is very low. I explained all this in a phone call. They just said might be a few months but maybe longer. They can’t say. Same as last year. It has been 2 years 2 months so far.
"Turned down for help"
My son was turned down for this programme. We have asked for help and there is nothing available.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to learn that you have had a negative experience . Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Absolutely appalling."
No support no help for a child in need, fob you off. List goes on. Wouldn't bother!!
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to learn that you have had a negative experience and feel you are receiving no support. Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"No offer of support"
I'm on a waiting list and I have not heard from them. They've not offered any support whilst waiting for them.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to learn that you have had a negative experience . Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Been with them since the start"
Been with them since their foundation with my Schizophrenia. I will keep it short: Avoid!
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust, though we are sorry to see we have not met your expectations. Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further. Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team
"11 year old with severe mental health issues"
My 11 year old daughter has been passed from pillar to post with FTB. Her situation is now even worse but her case was closed. Since FTB have been involved she has self harmed & is actively seeking to end her life - they discharged back to GP saying she wasn't suicidal - absolutely shocking service that is letting young people down at every turn.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust, though we are sorry to see we have not met your expectations. Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further. Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team
"They rush appointments."
Medication has a good impact on me. They don't want to have face to face conversations anymore, it's all online. They do an assessment every few months. They rush the appointments.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to learn that you have had a negative experience . Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Told to carry on which was dangerous"
They told my son to carry on with his imaginary friend but it was getting dangerous and I wasn't comfortable with carrying it on. They then referred him onto CAMHS
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to learn that you have had a negative experience . Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"They aren't helpful and I now fear doctors."
They are not helpful and hang up the phone whilst dealing with a crisis. They fail to give regular appointments and medication. They fail to keep young people safe. They have left me with a fear of doctors.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to learn that you have had a negative experience . Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Discharged with no explanation"
My partner was referred to FTB suffering with a multitude of symptoms and worries regarding his mental health. He was initially put through a CAAMS assessment around the end of July 2023. He was told he would receive the report by the end of the week. Lo and behold, weeks pass and he was told the relevant person was on annual leave. No worries. We waited. After weeks turning into months of calling and texting he was completely ignored. Fast forward to now, October 2023. I called for him on the 10th of October, they told me they would send an urgent email to the team who did the assessment. Still no response. I called today, 26th October, to be told he was noted as “discharged” with no report on the assessment even with the assessment being on file, complete with notes from the conversation. I asked when he was discharged. TWO DAYS after I called on the 10th. Seems like they just fobbed him off with no explanation. Now going through a process to delve into what has gone on, the outcome of the assessment, why he hasn’t been contacted or anything. It’s frustrating and he’s on the verge of giving up because he feels like no one cares or listens to him. It’s really scary that he’s been left to his own devices with the symptoms he’s experiencing. To their credit, the PALS team member and the Finch Road team member I spoke to were both lovely and understanding, really tried to figure out what was going on and have put things in place to look into this. I’m just concerned that my partner has now lost faith entirely due to all this. It’s appalling treatment.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to learn that you have had a negative experience . Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Tell you to call emergency services."
They see me every 8 weeks, well they're meant to but they don't. The crisis team are rubbish. They don't care what you say. Just tell you to contact emergency services and they don't listen to you. They're not helpful at all.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to learn that you have had a negative experience . Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"The worst of all services."
Not good. The worst of all of them. I have appointments every 4 months. the care coordinator doesn't coordinate the care. No support in place. They say we can call the crisis line.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to learn that you have had a negative experience . Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Never answer calls, they are awful."
They lost my referral. They never referred me. Never answer calls. They're awful. Wouldn't rate them whatsoever. Just never got anywhere with them.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to learn that you have had a negative experience with Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB). Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes,
The Patient Experience Team.
"Not very good"
Not very good. Was good at first but now she has done so many sessions and waiting to be referred over to another team.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Care Opinion in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to see we have not met your expectations. Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further. Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Misdiagnosis."
My son was given a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Yet no paranoia, delusions. Only experiencing auditory hallucinations (although at certain intervals due to medications he appeared to be heading that way). No support in titrate. Oh and a small matter that they omitted details noted on an MRI. Scan report, stating he has a lesion on his brain! No specialist service. Just legitimised drug pushers!
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to learn that you have had a negative experience with Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB) . Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Not a fan!"
I had a bad experience with with them. I'm not a fan, I wouldn't use them again. They need improving a lot!
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to see we have not met your expectations. Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further.
Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Waiting to hear back from referral"
The GP referred my children to Pause Forward Thinking Birmingham after a car accident. I'm still waiting to hear back from them
“Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to see we have not met your expectations. Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further. Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.”
"No autism awareness at any level"
No autism awareness at any level. They offered no care because daughter didn’t communicate and after making complain to PALS we were discharged.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to see we have not met your expectations. Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further. Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Not Fit For Purpose"
My daughter aged 13 required support due to high levels of anxiety that effect her self esteem and affect her daily life. It creates physical symptoms such as diarrhoea before gong to school and waves of sickness. She talks about wanting to harm herself as a means of controlling her emotions. Last October we had to battle between our gp and Forward Thinking Birmingham. Neither would make or accept or request for services despite my daughters mental distress. In the end PALS were really helpful and this led to counselling being provided via citizen coaching. Only six sessions are provided but due to our daughters issues, the therapist secured two more but stated that she definately needs more. So back to the gp again who stated that she will be making an urgent referral which she did and requested
that FTB assign the same therapist who my daughter states made her feel safe and she feels she can trust. Today FTB referral team called to ask me all the same questions all over again like they did a few months ago, which they should have on file. I was then told that my daughter cannot be referred back to the service who provided therapy as all those referred require a three month cooling period. Am I in my right mind to question what stupidity is this. Who benefits from a break between therapy, who decided that policy, how is it in the best interest of children. What research is this based on. I can feel my own anxiety building again as I fear how this will impact on my daughters emotional wellbeing. Who can I turn to as it appears I'm not on my own in my attempts to seek help and support for my child. I paid for CBT for 9 months for my daughter in 2021 but this provided little help. I can't afford to pay anything now with the cost of everything going up. Do I try Pals again or is there somewhere else I can turn to??????
Thank you for sharing your feedback, though we are so sorry you have still not seen any improvement for your daughter. We would absolutely encourage you to contact our PALS team (bwc.pals@nhs.net) as there is no limit to the amount of times you can seek their support - please be assured they would endeavor to help again, and get your daughter the support she needs. Please contact them if you can, and see how they can support. Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Not fit for purpose"
Forward thinking Birmingham need intervention. There seems to be a lack of communication within the teams. There are a few nice staff working there who got compassion towards the vulnerable. My son went to FTB, to collect us medication. Usually it would be delivered by a worker who would have a quick chat with him and see how he’s doing. When he got to the Finch Road office, he was told they got no record of him. I told him to phone the number and speak to someone. When he called and was speaking to the nurse, I was very annoyed at the way she was speaking to him. I had to intervene in the conversation. That’s when her tone change and she started to assist him. They are aware he haven’t got any medication since Friday. It’s Monday today 17:05. He still haven’t got any medication. I telephone the community team and got a lovely lady. We spoke and she told me she will deliver it tomorrow, prior to speaking to her, I was told to let my son go back to Finch road to collect it.
FTB. Need to get rid of the workers who are only there for a paycheque, some of them got no compassion. My son relapse twice. One was due to is care coordinator not listening when I realise he’s relapsing. All this is the lack of care from some of the workers.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback to Healthwatch in relation to our Trust. We are sorry to see we have not met your expectations. Please do contact us at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we can assist you further. Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"They are not organized"
I have been supporting my partner to access the mental health services there. However, they haven’t really been helpful. They are not organized and don’t communicate properly with service users. They have done 5 or so triages with different people before she was able to see a psychologist. Also their crisis team is not very helpful.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback for us to learn and improve upon. I am sorry you have not felt the services Forward Thinking Birmingham provide have been helpful for you and your partner. If we can still further assist you, please contact our PALS team at bwc.pals@nhs.net and we would be glad to help. Best Wishes, the Patient Experience Team.
"Absolute waste of time!!!!"
My sons autistic and I have been told for over six years after numerous re-Referrals they’ll help with his anxiety.. he’s now becoming violent and aggressive to me and others!!! Went for a medical review and they did nothing due to him being calm for once, soon as I left, absolute carnage, I took him straight back and they prescribed him a medicine I explained makes him more aggressive, they said it’s your call whether he takes it or not… once I reported other behaviour to them, they said book another appointment.. the only forward thinking this organisation does is to when they can book another useless needless appointment so they can milk your child for whatever resource they can claim by dragging their heels and not actually helping your child’s needs!!! If you need help, go through your GP and initial diagnosis team as they’ve told me they do not paediatricians there, only paediatric medicine prescriptions doctors.. how can some one prescribe medicines to a child they say they can’t diagnose?? Total farce.
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. If you wish to share further details with us, or would like to find out how our PALS team could help you, please use our online PALS contact form https://bwc.nhs.uk/contact-pals-form and we will be pleased to assist you. Best Wishes, Patient Experience Team
"They don't care. Nobody there cares."
I'm 21 years old. I've been under FTB care since the age of 16. The ONLY way to get a shred of help is if I keep calling and calling and calling. Listening to the same pre-recorded messages day in, day out. It's taxing on my mental health but it's the only way to get someone to hear me. Once I'm actually through to someone, they treat me like a statistic on a system. They don't care about anything I have to say. They don't care about how I'n feeling. They just care about ticking boxes and ending the call/session as quickly as possible.
When I eventually end up getting a medical review, they tell me they'll contact me again in 6 weeks for a follow-up. MONTHS pass. I have to call continuously to get someone to book another appointment for me in the system.
They just don't care at all. Look at the reviews on various sites, this one included. A majority of them are poor, and it's been this way for years. Yet the service hasn't changed to offer patients a better experience.
If complaints meant anything to them, FTB wouldn't be operating at such a poor standard.
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. If you wish to share further details with us or would like to find out how our PALS team could help you, please use our online PALS contact form https://bwc.nhs.uk/contact-pals-form and we will be pleased to assist you. Best Wishes, Patient Experience Team
"Made falsely accused individuals of threats"
Forward Thinking a predominantly African led mental organisation made false witness accusations statements in order to section Autistic patients into mental hospital to ensure they experience more trauma. These people contact fellow African councilors (as the British Councillors often reject the findings from Forward Thinking which results in lost 'revenue' fir Firward Thinking, to secure patients who have no relevant mental illness in order to justify their existence. Several councilors rejected their reports to section people as insufficient grounds but Forwarding Thinking African staff then approach African councilors to get the warrant issued despite no grounds and or false accusations made by Forward Thinking staff to secure the warrant from the judge.
In one case Forward Thinking have no qualifications or experience to assess Autistic patients yet they submit inaccurate and missleading assessments to the Birmingham courts to secure warrants from the British Judges to section British Autistic patients. These people bordering on 'psychopathic' tendencies lacking in sympathy and any empathy do not communicate with parents before doing their dirty work and relish on subjecting their victims as well as the families to mental trauma.
Despite asking Forward Thinking to show their pychiatrist and health workers qualifications in Autism they refused - clearly thuis is because they are not qualified. Why Birmingham Council and NHS Trust allows unqualified people let loose to traumatise Autistic members of the community begars belief.
Forward Thinking is corrupt dishonest and incompetent organisation funded by the taxpayer to illegally section helpless people so that the UK Birmingham authorities pay them for every victim they section.
Several non African origin councillors in Birmingham rejected Forward Thinking assessments as inadequate, incomplete and inaccurate, resulting in Forward thinking to contact their fellow African councilor colleagues to execute the warrant without any factual data or information yet the Birmingham courts continue to issue warrants based on false and inaccurate assessments.
The Government needs to act urgently and intervene as this organisation is endangering the lives of West Midlands communities and needs to be shut down.
"Great counsellor, no follow-up"
I had a great experience with my therapy and my counsellor, but I felt like I was left abandoned as soon as the sessions finished. I needed immediate help afterwards, having to wait three months just doesn't cut it. I'm not being offered more support at all, I have no option but to wait, and I can't. It's horrible.
I am sorry to learn that your experience was not to our usual standard. If you wish to share further details with us please use our online PALS contact form https://bwc.nhs.uk/contact-pals-form and we will be pleased to assist you and learn from your experience so we can further improve. Best Wishes, Patient Experience Team
"Very slow to respond to referrals"
Very slow to respond to referrals and provide no communication during the waiting time making it very difficult to support family members in need of help.
I am sorry to learn that your experience was not to our usual standard. If you wish to share further details with us please use our online PALS contact form https://bwc.nhs.uk/contact-pals-form and we will be pleased to assist you and learn from your experience so we can further improve. Best Wishes, Patient Experience Team
"Was given number via doctors..only 1 phone"
No follow up
No appointments
I am sorry to learn that your experience was not to our usual standard. If you wish to share further details with us please use our online PALS contact form https://bwc.nhs.uk/contact-pals-form and we will be pleased to assist you. Best Wishes, Patient Experience Team
"Vwry slow response time"
Left me with no support otheer than being put on a very long waitinf list for psychological therapy. I got very mentally unwell a couple of months after this and had noone to turn to
I am sorry to learn that your experience was not to our usual standard, and that you became unwell whilst waiting. If you wish to share further details with us please use our online PALS contact form https://bwc.nhs.uk/contact-pals-form and we will be pleased to assist you. Best Wishes, Patient Experience Team
"Very poor"
Very Poor
I am sorry to learn that your experience was not to our usual standard. If you wish to share further details with us please use our online PALS contact form https://bwc.nhs.uk/contact-pals-form and we will be pleased to assist you. Best Wishes, Patient Experience Team
"My relative has been under their “care”"
My relative has been sadly been under the care of these lazy useless and completely uncaring monsters for 3 years. If you can go private, do. Avoid them at all costs, particularly if you are at risk of suicide or self harm when feelings of abandonment or a lack of care are present. They will make you feel abandoned and let down.
Speaking of private, forward thinking Birmingham is not a NHS service. Forward thinking Birmingham is the Priory Group, a private healthcare corporation. Their principal obligation is increase the company profits to enrich their directors. The healthcare and the well being of patients is not a priority, and it shows.
That’s why there is barely any qualified staff. That’s why you end up waiting for months and then get fobbed off with inappropriate care. That’s why regardless of your condition they shovel you into group therapy sessions why you aren’t even allowed to discuss traumatic events that shaped your poor mental health. It’s all to save on cost and give the appearance of providing mental health care to young people in Birmingham so they can claim they are fulfilling their contract with the local CCG. You’ll be assessed multiple times for the therapies NICE dictates are appropriate for your diagnosis. Magically each time they will phone you and tell you it’s inappropriate for you to have that treatment. Never in writing, never with their “reasons”- this is to avoid giving you hard evidence of being denied the appropriate care to the CCG in a complaint. Everything is on the phone or in person for this reason- no paper trail. None of them- despite their press release about well-being passports- read your file before they speak to you. They don’t even read internal emails with instructions from your care co-ordinator. They do not pay attention to your safety. These are horrific people to deal with. I do not use the term monsters lightly.
If you are unsafe, engage with them only if have no other choice but to do so.
"Very slow and and disappointing"
It is very slow and and disappointing. My daughter is still waiting for a psychiatric review one year after referral. Any support is phone based and outsourced and you do not feel that the people you are speaking to are suitably qualified or experienced
I am sorry to learn that your experience was not to our usual standard. If you wish to share further details with us please use our online PALS contact form https://bwc.nhs.uk/contact-pals-form and we will be pleased to assist you. Best Wishes, Patient Experience Team
"Mixed Review FTB Access Centre (Crisis Team)"
Our experience has been mixed, dependent upon which staff member you get. Some are excellent. Some are poor. We requested a copy of a care plan almost 2 month ago. one month ago we asked again to be told the care plan didn't exist and so someone sat down and did a really good job of writing it with us on their lap top. However we still have not received the copy despite reminders
"Very hard to access Forward Thinking Birmingham STICK team"
For my15 year old. Very hard to access abs keen to discharge asap.
"Very poor"
Very poor
"Not fit for purpose"
They need more psychiatrists and psychologists. Staff are so busy they cannot properly assess and treat . My child has not had the therapy she has needed and has been medicated instead. They do not write detailed enough reports for ehcps with no recommendations. Crisis team have never helped us. We have had to use our child's benefits for private treatment.
"Limited specialist support"
Very limited specialist support for young people on the autism spectrum who experience mental health issues.
"No help at all"
No help at all, don't check back on patients even when they are having manic episodes they are willing to just do one visit leave medication and not even check up on the patient
"Counselling"
My son has had counselling
"They are always there."
I have had a very good experience with FTB. When I need support they are always there.
"Extremely poor"
My son is suicidal and has been left without support for over 2 months now
They just fobbing off and never do anything to help and let you down completely when meant to be helping
Like all mental health in Birmingham total disgrace
"I am not happy"
I am not happy. It took a long time for an appointment and I was just offered CBT therapy. I was pushed for information about my childhood that I struggled to.
"Took 3 months to process the referral"
My son was referred to Forward Thinking Birmingham due to experiencing anxiety and self-harm issues etc. This took 3 months to process. When I finally got a response, standard letter they told me that I could take my son to place without appointment. Nobody from Forward Thinking Birmingham made an appointment to assess my sons mental health/anxiety issues. My son is still experiencing severe anxiety and is left without any help. I do not think child mental health is taken seriously, you are fobbed off, long waiting list, or referred to inappropriate service.
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your feedback. We are sorry that you are unhappy with the advice you have received about your child. Please be assured that Mental Health services for our young people are a top priority for Forward Thinking Birmingham, and we are sorry that this was not your experience. If you wish to discuss this further, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) via email on bwc.pals@nhs.net or by telephone on 0121 333 8403. Best wishes, Patient Experience Team.
"Appaling,not fit for purpose!!!"
absolutely disgraceful service or should say non service..been under this hub for my son for 2 yrs and getting absolutely no help at all,staff are hopeless dont even know whos who at the place,dont answer phones and if yhey do they always say they will call back which they never actually do...i really dont know why this place exists and cant believe our taxes go to pay for this shocking service..i have had 2 years of terrible stress trying to get help for my son who has asd and depression and anxiety...he has told them on several occasions that he dosent want to be alive and he actually hurts himself punching himself and smashing the place up..hes tormented every day with these thoughts and yet they dont do anything to help...they say he dosent fit the criteria for crisis team even after i had to call police to calm him down,he was hurting himself and smashing the place up,police said he needed crisis team but yhis place refised to refer him for treatment!!!im absolutely disgusted that they could send me home with my son after he also had a meltdown in there offices...they more or less said he hasnt said he would kill himself so dosent need crisis team!!!which my son said ok then if i go and cut my wrists will that meet the criteria??i am shocked and saddened that we the public tax payers are paying wages to this kind of usless system..im taking this further as my sons mental health is deteriorated rapidly and i worry that if he dosent get proper help very soon it could be to late..
"this made my Ed and stress worse"
I have an eating disorder. It took ages like 4 weeks to get to see anyone and I was already in a worse state and had lost 4kg. When I was I was basically just told to come back when I had lost more. Ended up going in to the children’s hospital cos of fainting and low blood sugar. I was told if I got the tube horrific stories about Ed units that I would go to . Couldn’t eat too anxious and no support so got the tube and went to Ed unit, go some help. Now I’m back out with no support and sometimes I struggle and I have missed education I shouldn’t have missed due to this device awful incompetence and staff that gave me drugs to send me to sleep, rather than anxiety drugs that other doctors at Birmingham children’s provided.
"Support is poor"
Finch Road and Blakesley Centre.
All of the practitioners except the Medical Director are completely inadequate. The support, medical insight and experience is poor. I received a letter about diagnosis and they haven't completely written down my full condition. I saw a medical professional there who was not aware of my condition or history. I said I have autism and the professional was surprised. There is no transparency over who has which roles there. They don't read the notes ever. I keep saying 'Have you read the notes' and answer 'No.'
One merit is the Medical Director - I met him after attempted suicide. Very good for a few months. He questioned the medication I had been prescribed there. Told me really glad I didn't take what I had been given, if I had taken the flattening medication I probably wouldn't be here.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I am sorry to hear that your experience was poor and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this in more detail with you. If you would be happy to, please contact the PALs team (Patient Advice & Liaison) on 0121 333 8403 or at bwc.pals@nhs.net
We can then understand more about your experiences and share that with Forward Thinking Birmingham, who are keen to investigate further.
"Wrong diagnosis"
Daughter has psychotic episodes. Mental health team said that she requires treatment/medication which now appears she shouldn't have had. Now looks as though psychotic episodes might have been down to a reaction to a vaccine she received at school.
Now having no drugs and she is doing well.
Daughter never had a proper assessment.
Thank you for your feedback in regard to the advice and guidance provided by Forward Thinking Birmingham. I am sorry to hear that you have had a poor experience with Forward Thinking Birmingham.
Please feel free to contact our Patient Advisory and Liaison Service (PALS) team on 0121 333 8403 or alternatively you can email on bwc.pals@nhs.net who will be happy to raise your concerns and help find a resolution for you. PALS can escalate your concerns to a clinical lead or centre manager, or governance lead from Forward Thinking Birmingham who can then investigate and respond to you.
"Stressful experience"
My daughter is bipolar. She was diagnosed when she was 15 and was previously under the care of CAMHS. When she got under the care of FTB aged 18 her health condition went seriously down. The consultant at FTB has tried to cut off her medication just talking to me without even discussing this with my daughter. The 3rd time my daughter saw the consultant he asked her before she even managed to sit down “have you got to grips with your drinking problem”. My daughter hasn’t ever got a drinking problem so the consultant completely got her mixed with someone else. He also diagnosed my daughter to have an attachment disorder, but didn’t give any information on this. Instead he just told her to google it! he also did this when the door to the waiting room was open too there was no privacy. He has used phrases like “before you go into your own world”. As a result my daughter does not want to see him at all. He is just looking at his computer and not getting to know my daughter at all. She is not being listened to at all! my daughter has been disgusted at her treatment.
I am so sorry to hear that your daughters experience has been like this and that she no longer wants to see her consultant. I would be very keen to find out more specific detail from you and your daughter. We will then liaise with FTB on your behalf to highlight your experience to them. FTB would like to know the details so they can take appropriate actions, to ensure any necessary improvements are made. I would encourage you to get in touch with me via the PALs team (Patient Advice & Liaison) on 0121 333 8403 or bwc.pals@nhs.net. As your daughter is over 18 years if age we would also need her consent. I look forward to hearing from you, Rachel Evitts-Patient Experience Sister
"poor communication caused more stress"
was on a section 3, mid-September and currently under a 117 under home treatment team forward thinking Birmingham. my son was given a botched up sick note dates were totally wrong. Caused more stress to him. Tried to get hold of them no joy tried to go through Finch Rd left a message for someone to contact also my sons support worker from Mind also tried and was not contacted back, he also is supposed to have a care co-ordinator by now was suppose to come out weeks ago and never turned up
Please accept my apologies for the delayed reply to you. I am sorry to hear that this was the experience for you and your son. If you would like us to look into the events in more detail and to be able to share specific details with FTB, please do let us know. I would be keen to speak to you to find out more details and can be contacted via the PALs team (Patient Advice & Liaison) on 0121 333 8403 or bwc.pals@nhs.net. I look forward to hearing from you, Rachel Evitts- Patient Experience Sister
"waiting times for mental health patients"
Waiting times, for children with mental health problems.
Would like more of the Pause Drop In Services around Birmingham
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I am pleased to hear that you have found the PAUSE service to be useful. We have shared your feedback with FTB so they can consider your request for expansion of the service across Birmingham. Kind Regards, Rachel Evitts - Patient Experience Sister
"The service have completely let her down."
My daughter who has learning disabilities and autism was transferred to Oaklands in August 2018. Since then, her mental health has deteriorated really badly. I feel like she is slipping away – I can’t recognise my daughter anymore.
My daughter is very vulnerable and I feel like should be involved in her care but I am not allowed to. Forward thinking have diagnosed her with chronic paranoid schizophrenia and I don’t agree with this. Since she has been with FTB her medication has been completely changed- her medication should have never been changed. FTB are also letting her own medication, but this is putting her at risk. When her mental health deteriorates I am worried she can be overdosing. I don’t think she is safe! She has had about 7 different diagnosis with constantly changing medication. I feel like her current medication is causing all these additional mental health issues with her. FTB are also thinking of putting her into respite but I don’t think that currently she will be safe. She should be admitted to hospital. FTB are not giving her anything to occupy her – not peer support or activities. She needs intense therapy and she is not getting it.
I feel the service have completely let her down.
Firstly I would like to apologise for the delay in replying to you. I am so sad to hear that your daughter's health has deteriorated. I would encourage you to get in touch with me via the PALs team (Patient Advice & Liaison) on 0121 333 8403 or bwc.pals@nhs.net If you are able to share more specific details with me/PALs then we can look at how we can support or advise you to take things forward. I look forward to hearing from you, Kindest Regards Rachel Evitts - Patient Experience Sister
"There is something wrong with the system"
My 7 years old son is autistic and needs help for anxiety. He was referred to forward thinking Birmingham by his special needs school paediatrician. However when we had the appointment at FTB they didn’t do anything. They just referred my son back to school paediatrician. All I wanted was a referral to occupational therapist. My son needs help with his anxiety before it develops into something worse. It’s now been one year and he hasn’t received any help. In the end I just gave up there is something wrong with the system.
Thank you for taking the time to share your comment. I am sad to hear that you felt there was no option other than to give up. I would be keen to help you further and would encourage you to contact the PALs team, (Patient Advice & Liaison Service) on 0121 333 8403 or bwc.pals@nhs.net If you can share more details with us, via this route, we can then look to see how we can help you get the support your son needs. Best Wishes.
"No communication .don't listen to the family"
3 years since my son started his mental health journey. 3 years of him being let down .not listened too .wasted opportunitys when he had insight .change of doctors all the time .keep giving anti psychotic meds when he is medication resistant no specialist care just won't refer him. awful service from forwardthinking birmingham. They just give lip service .apart from the odd nurse I wonder why they are in this job .
"Still waiting for an appointment"
I did a self referral in February and heard back within a few weeks that I was on the waiting list for an appointment. It is now June and haven't heard anything further
"How do you access help in an emergency?"
My experience was horrible. You wait two months for appointments - how are you meant to access quick help when appointments are not regular? How can you have a diagnosis and then be told it isn’t right but still not get the right support even on medication? If it isn’t working you still have to wait two months plus to ask for different medication or help to solve the problem.
If I’m having a bad day I can’t wait to be seen. Where do I go in an emergency? I’ve called them in an emergency and they say there’s no doctors and they don’t give me other places to go. I don’t like my male doctor but if I want another male doctor I need to travel all the way to Longbridge.
I didn’t get any help filling in the personal income payments (PIP) form even though I am autistic. I asked my Mental Health Team to refer me to anger management – they didn’t. Mental Health told me I needed a social worker but I’ve never had any contact since.
Sorry to hear that you feel you haven't been able to access support quickly. We do operate a duty system in our community hubs so that you can access urgent support in between appointments should you need it. We also have a Crisis team, which you can contact if you are experiencing a mental health emergency - they can be contacted via our main telephone number 0300 300 0099.
If you would like us to look into your experiences in more detail, please contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service on 0121 333 8403 or bwc.pals@nhs.net.
