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It's not uncommon for us to send people around the country because of the beds crisis—and it is a crisis. A few weeks ago, a young woman came in who had attempted to kill herself. She was at high risk of causing more harm to herself. The only available bed for her was in Liverpool, 200 miles away from her friends, family and support network. One of the most frustrating things for us is that when you have to send patients that far away, that obviously influences their decision about whether they're willing to go to hospital or not. This woman was very worried, anxious and scared. She was having hallucinations, hearing voices. She was willing to be treated in a local hospital, but when she found out the nearest bed for her was so far away, she refused to go. So we were then forced to use the Mental Health Act to detain her. We're having to do this more and more because of the bed crisis, which is appalling. It's just not acceptable.Every time I'm on call there's always someone in a desperate situation who has been waiting in A&E (accident and emergency) for at least eight hours. It's just cruel.
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Historically, doctors like me would have been really nervous talking about these things. We like to follow hierarchy, we respect our seniors and we are quite stoic – we do our best and work hard. But I think we are so under-resourced that doctors are having to become politicized. In the past, I would never have criticized my hospital and my consultants and my trust. But I'm not criticizing any of those people—I'm criticizing our lack of resources. And that comes straight from the government.Mental health has always been underfunded, but the situation is now desperate. We have to speak up for our patients because many of them can't speak for themselves. It's not like they're—for example—part of a society for arthritis sufferers who can send beautifully written letters to their MPs (a member of parliament) like people with physical health problems often do. Our patients don't have power or influence. And they are the ones being ignored.