Mental health services in Waltham Forest must improve to meet the demands of clients who are at the lowest point in their lives, according to one patient.

Patricia Monksfield was diagnosed with severe depression and other mental health issues in 1999.

Since then she has had direct experience of many of the support services available.

However the 59-year-old, of Hoe Street in Walthamstow, believes the NHS is failing people at their time of need with constant service shake-ups.

Ms Monksfield believes funding cuts have made it harder to see a psychiatrist and causes patients to be passed between providers, leaving them often feeling confused and frustrated.

“I used to be at the Ferguson Centre and then last October they moved me over to Thorpe Coombe when the access team moved,” she said.

“Ever since they moved, every time I phone up I speak to a different person.

“I made a complaint last year because when I would see my psychiatrist, I would have to wait for more than half an hour every time – it was really stressful.

“It took three months for a resolution.

"After Christmas I was booked to see a good consultant but he went off sick so I never did get to see him.

“When I did get an appointment with a psychiatrist she told me she wanted to cut my medication down

"I had never met her before. It made me feel so uneasy.”

Ms Monksfield said she recently contacted the hospital ahead of an April appointment because she was unable to sleep.

“I was only allowed to speak to a doctor on the phone," she said.

"He knew nothing about me. He seemed to think I had a husband, which I don’t.

"He just couldn’t get my details right.

“I phoned my GP because I was worried. 

"They told me I had to wait two weeks to see the doctor.

“The surgeries in Waltham Forest are still taking on new patients, even though there are people here who can’t get appointments.

“People with mental illness can go off the rails quite quickly.

"The doctors want you to wait for weeks to see someone and keep changing the person you do see.

“I always find it difficult to get help, even if I am really depressed. It’s frustrating.

“I think mental health patients need to be given more consideration.”

Ms Monksfield said she is frequently passed between her GP and a ‘brief intervention’ team.

“At the times when I am struggling, I would like to be able to see someone,” she added.

“The access team is there until 8pm. The idea is that people can walk in. Sometimes that part is the hardest and you can’t get home visits.

“It should be easier to see a doctor.

“For about two years I have gone backwards and forwards.

"They have discharged me back to my GP and a few weeks later he will refer me back.

“I won’t be surprised if I am discharged back to my GP again.”

A spokeswoman for North East London NHS Foundation Trust said: “The number of times a patient sees a psychiatrist, mental health nurse or therapist and the length of each appointment depends on individual circumstances.

“NELFT’s access and assessment service, which carries out initial mental health assessments moved to Thorpe Combe to help us provide an extended hours service.

“We try to ensure there is consistency of care so service users see the same clinicians but unfortunately this is not always possible.”

In a crisis people can call the mental health direct helpline at any time on 03000 555 1000.