Thankyou all;
for the replies and messages. Even you, buffet_the_appetite_slayer (When you're trying to make sense of senseless things, it can be helpful to be offered a contrasting view); although I believe your delivery needs work.

While I appreciate being informed of its existence; the NHS constitution is actually very slender on firm rights. It looks riddled with bland, reassuring, and non-binding aspirations instead. We have plenty of "rights to expect", we can expect until the cows come home; but we can't actually demand the "right to be treated in a decent timeframe without cop-outs" because we don't have that.

It's not all bad news for me. I have had an appointment since posting the OP; still not beginning treatment yet, but at least they're now officially aware of how bad things have deteriorated since the original assessment twelve months ago - I suppose that alone is some small help. Other wheels have been started turning as well; I'm trying to remember that a particular circumstance never holds indefinitely, and people making poor decisions can usually eventually be overuled or bypassed.

So; keep holding on in there, one and all. I hope those of us in similar waters can be there for each another; I'm just a GAZ away if you need a boost. Looks like we might have ourselves another b3ta support group...
(The Incredible Sulk Finally remembered his password on, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 19:02, 2 replies)

The best thing to do
is to get a GP on your side. Stick to seeing the same one, make sure they like you, and they can fight some of the CMHT red-tape for you.

I wouldn't be where I am today without 2 amazing GPs: in fact, I wouldn't be alive. So woo!
(mmmm curry doesn't really understand this sig lark, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 19:47, closed)

Good luck :)

(Sivvus trolley collision in the fruit aisle led to a jam, Wed 16 Jun 2010, 23:02, closed)