To ask if she has grounds to ask to see someone else

[User566668]

A close friend has been struggling with mental health problems. Due to how unwell she’s got she been referred to the local CMHT. The appointment is with a psychiatrist that other patients have said that he has said inappropriate things to them. Obviously I know you can’t believe everything people say but when it’s a number of women. Obviously we don’t know either way but she’s now worried about the appointment.

How do you know the therapist has allegedly said these things?

Word of mouth is how we know.

It is possible to request a different or specified psychiatrist but it could mean waiting longer.

Good luck

Can she request to see a female psychiatrist instead? It might mean she has to wait longer but it might be worth a try. It is acceptable to do so for other medical things.

other patients have said that he has said inappropriate things to them.

Inappropriate how?

The easiest way would be to ask to see a female psychiatrist if possible.

The allegations made by the women are it was of a sexual nature. As I said I don’t know either way if it happened or didn’t.

@User566668

The allegations made by the women are it was of a sexual nature. As I said I don’t know either way if it happened or didn’t.

If that's happened then it needs to be reported to the GMC as a serious breach of professional conduct.

www.gmc-uk.org/concerns/raise-a-concern-about-a-doctor

I believe it was years ago and was reported.

It’s not a recent situation

If she is comfortable discussing her MH issues in front of you, then she could ask to take you with her to support her at the appointment. That would likely reduce risk if him saying anything inappropriate.

I wouldn't. Assume it was investigated? Could have been malicious? Doesn't mean same will happen. If he's still working, must have been not charged?
How do you know other people who have seen him? I literally don't know anyone else who sees my psych. Just curious.

How do you know patients from years ago said this? Was it reported on the news? I agree with PP - she could request a female psychiatrist.

Also, yes, inappropriate how?

One of the women is a friend of mine and I mentioned that the friend I’m talking about here was seeing a psychiatrist. As I know she attends the same centre so I thought I might get some information about it. She said she’s not the only woman to have made a complaint about him.

Obviously I can’t comment either way but would imagine it was her word against his.

I feel a bit sorry for the guy
If there were complaints made they clearly were not upheld because he is still practicing but I guess it's no smoke without fire as far as you are concerned.

If she doesn't want to see him I guess she can ask for a different person but there is not an endless choice in the NHS. It will likely mean one or all of seeing someone less qualified, waiting longer or travelling to another centre.

Or why don't you offer to go and support her? He is hardly going to say something inappropriate with a witness.

The "other women" is just hearsay, no way to prove it or disprove.
Do you trust her opinion of what is inappropriate? Did she tellyou what he said?

Depending on the size of the team, CMHTs don't usually have many psychiatrists available. It's worth asking but I'd be surprised if there was a huge choice in terms of who your friend sees. MH nurses and other allied health professionals such as psychologists are usually in larger numbers in CMHTs - but there's rarely more than one (maybe two at the most) psychiatrists available. This may differ by region though.

Will the appointments be on zoom? If so you could be in the room with permission or perhaps tell the psychiatrist that the appointment is being recorded because df forgets what's been said.

My ds changed her psychiatrist because she didn't feel he was helping her and she got a new psychiatrist within a month.

Also, I assume it's you. What friend would know the name of the psych your friend has an app with, and mention to another friend in order to get info aboutthe centre..?

Again not saying he definitely said anything but I would imagine if he said he didn’t do it he would be believed over her. She didn’t say what he said as said it would be too painful for her to relive the memories.

It’s not me I’m very close to this person so yes I will try and get information for her as I know she’s stressed about going. I was hoping to reassure her.

I think it would be difficult to request a different psychiatrist if theyve never met and you couldn't explain why. You could request a female but I know my local team doesn't have a female dr.
They will however provide a female member of staff or relative will be allowed to sit in.
Is it via Skype?

Your friend can ask for someone else to be present. Either a friend (if she is able to talk in front of them obviously) or a professional. It might help for the first meeting?