Strokes made NHS boss Phil campaign for better mental health care

So even the NHS chief doesn't understand that depression is a secondary problem. You get people 100% recovered and the secondary problems will likely not be needed to be solved. YOUR responsibility is to educate him. With absolutely NO PROTOCOLS that lead to 100% recovery this depression and PTSD is quite likely.  Solve the correct problem, not this secondary issue.

23% chance of stroke survivors getting PTSD

Poststroke depression(33% chance)

 

Strokes made NHS boss Phil campaign for better mental health care

Phil on his first visit home from hospital following his two strokes

Fiona Finch

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Phil Woodford is calling for more psychological support for stroke survivors, after experiencing for himself the difficulty of getting help following two strokes.

The 48 year old from Catterall says the strokes over one weekend in 2016 left him with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe depression and feeling suicidal.

Back on his bike - Phil learns to cycle again following two strokes and his rehabilitation

But he says he was forced to get his own treatment for his mental health problems.

Phil is now backing a campaign by the Stroke Association calling for more support to cope with hidden and often overlooked psychological and emotional effects of a stroke.

He said: “A stroke changes not just the survivor’s life overnight but also their family’s. I had never had bad or negative thoughts before but I started feeling suicidal as I couldn’t see much of a future. I couldn’t cope...I was scared, angry, upset and frightened.”
Keen cyclist Phil, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs at University Hospital of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, is now back at work. He was 45 when illness hit in August 2016 and says that although he has not regained all his physical skills it is the mental challenges which have been the hardest to cope with.
He praises the NHS for the treatment of his stroke but said “I think psychological support and rehab should start as soon as a stroke is diagnosed, to help stroke survivors overcome the emotional impact of their stroke.
“I saw my GP and told her about the suicidal thoughts and she referred me for mental health support but it was rejected, and they just said to adjust my anti-depressants.

“I ended up going private to the Priory in Bury and it has been a lifesaver. I have been treated with talking therapies and I feel more positive about the future.
Phil said: “For a while, I felt like a failure, but I have got over that now.
“There is one good thing that has come out of the stroke and that is it has made me realise the important things in life. I spend much more time with my children and am happier.”
He said the Priory helped him recognise he had aspects of PTSD and severe depression: “When the depression comes I just want to crawl into a ball and be alone.”

He twice planned suicide but said: “I was able to bring myself round by thinking about the good things in my life, especially my family, my dog and friends.”

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