To think it’s wrong to use someone’s address to get healthcare in a different area

[Coldnights]

A friend of mine is using another friends address to get healthcare under a different mental health team than the one they should be in.

Why? Is the mental health team in that area better? Faster?

I think it's worse that a person's postcode can determine the level or amount of care they can receive.

Yes it is better

I'm not sure how she's managed this. Has she changed her address with her GP too? Normally the area your GP is in determines which services you are referred to.

Then no I probably wouldn't judge.

It says more that a person would even need to do this to access adequate health care imo. MH services are woeful despite the fact that they are actually urgently needed in a lot of cases.

If this is the fastest way for your friend to access what she needs then no, I wouldn't be able to judge.

Yes she’s using their address for local gp to.

I think if she's desperate enough to do it. I don't blame her.

The fact that quality of service provision is based on a postcode lottery is an utter disgrace.

I was suffering from white severe depression a few years ago. I was suicidal, taking medication and absolutely desperate for help.

It still took over a year for my GPs mental health team to actually give me an appointment that wasn't just a quick booking in type chat.

And worse still, when I actually did have the appointment, it was over the phone and clearly not with an experienced counsellor.

I ended up paying a fortune to go private whilst waiting as I'd have been dead if I'd had to wait for the GP referral. I stuck with my private one after I was contacted by the GP one too because they were miles better.

Quite*

In what way does this affect you, op?

Mind your own business.

It affects me because I know people who are waiting for the local service.

Of course it's wrong, but I couldn't condemn someone for doing it... It's not fair that just because you live in the "wrong" area you can't access the same treatment as someone else who by chance lives in the "right" area.

@Coldnights

It affects me because I know people who are waiting for the local service.

Then perhaps advocate for better services across the board so people don't get desperate enough to do this?

I do advocate to help others

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Sounds like your friend really needs the help. Direct your anger towards postcode lottery based health services instead.

I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often, or maybe it does and we just don't know.

I would rather she use the better mental health team than have a mental health crisis. It's not like she's pretending she's eligible for free health care in country when she's not, it all comes from the same government pot

No I don't have think it is wrong. I think it's wrong that services in some areas are so bad. Anyway couldn't she choose where to go.... I thought you were supposed to be able to? I see 2 different speciality consultants, neither in my local area. I researched who I wanted to see and asked my GP to refer me there rather than the shit local hospital.

I don't think you're friend is the problem

I think the way it's done is. Mental health services are under huge amounts of stress. There isn't enough money or time. Or drs.

It will only get worse too from here

The fact we all pay the same taxes but some people get more than others is a much bigger problem. I'm in agony every single day but can't get breast reduction where I live. If I moved ten miles away then I'd meet their criteria. NHS care should be standardised.

No my friend does it because his doctors never have appointments, answer the phone or make it difficult for everything.
He needed his nose fixing after years of issues, used my doctors and he's seen within months.

I think it's worse that a person's postcode can determine the level or amount of care they can receive

This.

But surely personal letters are also sent to an address that aren’t the persons.

It's not right, but I do understand why someone feels they have no choice but to do that.

No.
Everyone is entitled to free healthcare. It's an absolute disgrace that people have to lie to get what they are actually entitled to. And what we all pay for.