Forward Thinking Birmingham
Feedback Rating
Based on 60 reviews
Reviews (60)
this made my Ed and stress worse
July 24, 2019
I have an eating disorder. It took ages like 4 weeks to get to see anyone and I was already in a worse state and had lost 4kg. When I was I was basically just told to come back when I had lost more. Ended up going in to the children’s hospital cos of fainting and low blood sugar. I was told if I got the tube horrific stories about Ed units that I would go to . Couldn’t eat too anxious and no support so got the tube and went to Ed unit, go some help. Now I’m back out with no support and sometimes I struggle and I have missed education I shouldn’t have missed due to this device awful incompetence and staff that gave me drugs to send me to sleep, rather than anxiety drugs that other doctors at Birmingham children’s provided.
Support is poor
March 8, 2019
Finch Road and Blakesley Centre.
All of the practitioners except the Medical Director are completely inadequate. The support, medical insight and experience is poor. I received a letter about diagnosis and they haven't completely written down my full condition. I saw a medical professional there who was not aware of my condition or history. I said I have autism and the professional was surprised. There is no transparency over who has which roles there. They don't read the notes ever. I keep saying 'Have you read the notes' and answer 'No.'
One merit is the Medical Director - I met him after attempted suicide. Very good for a few months. He questioned the medication I had been prescribed there. Told me really glad I didn't take what I had been given, if I had taken the flattening medication I probably wouldn't be here.
All of the practitioners except the Medical Director are completely inadequate. The support, medical insight and experience is poor. I received a letter about diagnosis and they haven't completely written down my full condition. I saw a medical professional there who was not aware of my condition or history. I said I have autism and the professional was surprised. There is no transparency over who has which roles there. They don't read the notes ever. I keep saying 'Have you read the notes' and answer 'No.'
One merit is the Medical Director - I met him after attempted suicide. Very good for a few months. He questioned the medication I had been prescribed there. Told me really glad I didn't take what I had been given, if I had taken the flattening medication I probably wouldn't be here.
Wrong diagnosis
Outpatients
January 29, 2019
Daughter has psychotic episodes. Mental health team said that she requires treatment/medication which now appears she shouldn't have had. Now looks as though psychotic episodes might have been down to a reaction to a vaccine she received at school.
Now having no drugs and she is doing well.
Daughter never had a proper assessment.
Now having no drugs and she is doing well.
Daughter never had a proper assessment.
Stressful experience
December 17, 2018
My daughter is bipolar. She was diagnosed when she was 15 and was previously under the care of CAMHS. When she got under the care of FTB aged 18 her health condition went seriously down. The consultant at FTB has tried to cut off her medication just talking to me without even discussing this with my daughter. The 3rd time my daughter saw the consultant he asked her before she even managed to sit down “have you got to grips with your drinking problem”. My daughter hasn’t ever got a drinking problem so the consultant completely got her mixed with someone else. He also diagnosed my daughter to have an attachment disorder, but didn’t give any information on this. Instead he just told her to google it! he also did this when the door to the waiting room was open too there was no privacy. He has used phrases like “before you go into your own world”. As a result my daughter does not want to see him at all. He is just looking at his computer and not getting to know my daughter at all. She is not being listened to at all! my daughter has been disgusted at her treatment.
poor communication caused more stress
November 22, 2018
was on a section 3, mid-September and currently under a 117 under home treatment team forward thinking Birmingham. my son was given a botched up sick note dates were totally wrong. Caused more stress to him. Tried to get hold of them no joy tried to go through Finch Rd left a message for someone to contact also my sons support worker from Mind also tried and was not contacted back, he also is supposed to have a care co-ordinator by now was suppose to come out weeks ago and never turned up
waiting times for mental health patients
November 19, 2018
Waiting times, for children with mental health problems.
Would like more of the Pause Drop In Services around Birmingham
Would like more of the Pause Drop In Services around Birmingham
The service have completely let her down.
November 15, 2018
My daughter who has learning disabilities and autism was transferred to Oaklands in August 2018. Since then, her mental health has deteriorated really badly. I feel like she is slipping away – I can’t recognise my daughter anymore.
My daughter is very vulnerable and I feel like should be involved in her care but I am not allowed to. Forward thinking have diagnosed her with chronic paranoid schizophrenia and I don’t agree with this. Since she has been with FTB her medication has been completely changed- her medication should have never been changed. FTB are also letting her own medication, but this is putting her at risk. When her mental health deteriorates I am worried she can be overdosing. I don’t think she is safe! She has had about 7 different diagnosis with constantly changing medication. I feel like her current medication is causing all these additional mental health issues with her. FTB are also thinking of putting her into respite but I don’t think that currently she will be safe. She should be admitted to hospital. FTB are not giving her anything to occupy her – not peer support or activities. She needs intense therapy and she is not getting it.
I feel the service have completely let her down.
My daughter is very vulnerable and I feel like should be involved in her care but I am not allowed to. Forward thinking have diagnosed her with chronic paranoid schizophrenia and I don’t agree with this. Since she has been with FTB her medication has been completely changed- her medication should have never been changed. FTB are also letting her own medication, but this is putting her at risk. When her mental health deteriorates I am worried she can be overdosing. I don’t think she is safe! She has had about 7 different diagnosis with constantly changing medication. I feel like her current medication is causing all these additional mental health issues with her. FTB are also thinking of putting her into respite but I don’t think that currently she will be safe. She should be admitted to hospital. FTB are not giving her anything to occupy her – not peer support or activities. She needs intense therapy and she is not getting it.
I feel the service have completely let her down.
There is something wrong with the system
October 9, 2018
My 7 years old son is autistic and needs help for anxiety. He was referred to forward thinking Birmingham by his special needs school paediatrician. However when we had the appointment at FTB they didn’t do anything. They just referred my son back to school paediatrician. All I wanted was a referral to occupational therapist. My son needs help with his anxiety before it develops into something worse. It’s now been one year and he hasn’t received any help. In the end I just gave up there is something wrong with the system.
No communication .don't listen to the family
August 21, 2018
3 years since my son started his mental health journey. 3 years of him being let down .not listened too .wasted opportunitys when he had insight .change of doctors all the time .keep giving anti psychotic meds when he is medication resistant no specialist care just won't refer him. awful service from forwardthinking birmingham. They just give lip service .apart from the odd nurse I wonder why they are in this job .
Still waiting for an appointment
June 25, 2018
I did a self referral in February and heard back within a few weeks that I was on the waiting list for an appointment. It is now June and haven't heard anything further
