Part Two of My Story: Speaking Out on Systemic Failures
When I left hospital, I wasn’t prepared for how hard life would be. In my head, I imagined slipping back into my “normal life” — going to work, seeing friends, being with family.
The truth? I was still very unwell. Adjusting wasn’t just hard; it was overwhelming.
The Home Treatment Team
There’s a rule when you’re discharged that you must be seen by the home treatment team within 48 hours. I don’t know if this is nationwide or just within Oxleas NHS Trust, but they stuck to it.
Someone called the next day to arrange an appointment. It lasted no more than 15 minutes. It felt like a box-ticking exercise — a formality, not real care.
Within that appointment, I was discharged from the home treatment team altogether. I was told I’d be referred to the Community Mental Health Team (also managed by Oxleas). I was assured someone would contact me within seven days.
I left hopeful that support would continue outside the hospital. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Seven Days Came and Went
No one contacted me.
And here’s something I need to make crystal clear: if I hadn’t had support around me, nothing that happened next would have happened.
I was too unwell to chase services myself. Some days, I couldn’t even get out of bed. Many of the people I met in hospital had no one. No family, no advocate, no voice. They fell through the gaps.
Those gaps should not exist.
My Mum Had to Fight
It was my mum who stepped in. She knew I needed help and spent weeks chasing anyone who would listen. She was passed from pillar to post, signposted to different corners of Oxleas, but no one took accountability.
No one admitted mistakes had been made. No one worked to put things right.
Eventually, she was told I would have to be referred again by my GP — and put to the back of the waiting list.
Back of the waiting list. After nearly dying. After spending six weeks in hospital. After being promised ongoing care.
Oxleas, do you think this is okay?
Why This Matters
My story isn’t unique — and that’s exactly the point. If it were, it would still be upsetting, but it wouldn’t justify outrage.
But this happens again and again. People leave hospital vulnerable, only to be abandoned by the system meant to support them. Families fight for help and are ignored. And those without families? They fall through cracks that should not exist.
This is Part Two of my series speaking out on systemic failures in mental health care. My hospital stay kept me safe but didn’t help me get better. My discharge? It nearly broke me all over again.
And still, things were about to get worse.
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