Mrs J felt that the Trust did not manage her psychotherapy care appropriately when she wanted to see a female psychotherapist. She also felt there were insufficient black and minority" ethnic (BME) therapists available in the Trust.
What happened
When Mrs J's mental health suffered as a result of a prolonged period of stress, she was referred for therapy. She saw Dr P, a consultant psychiatrist, during summer 2013 but the relationship became strained.
Mrs J asked to see a female therapist in autumn 2013. When a suitable female therapist could not be found at the usual venue, Dr P offered Mrs J a referral for an assessment at an alternative venue. Mrs J did not want to go to the alternative venue and the situation reached an impasse.
What we found
Dr P behaved reasonably throughout Mrs J's therapy sessions, and took appropriate and timely action to try to provide an alternative therapist for Mrs J.
The Trust demonstrated that it took equality and diversity issues very seriously and monitored its strategies to make sure that people from BME backgrounds were not disadvantaged.
Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust
Greater Manchester
Did not involve complainant adequately in the process
Not applicable