Episode Summary
Today I received a letter from the NHS about my appointment. I’m still on the waiting list and so nothing really has changed. I share my thoughts on this news in this episode.
Episode Transcript (Edited)
Hi and welcome to today’s episode of Hope, Help, Happiness.
Today I went down to my letterbox and found a private and confidential letter from the NHS. Now this is the first time they’ve contacted me in about two months or so, maybe even longer.
When I opened it up I thought “Maybe I’ve got an appointment”. But no, it’s not.
They just have sent me a letter saying:
“We apologise for the length of time you’ve been waiting to access our service. We would like to reassure you that you are working your way up the waiting list and we will contact you as soon as you reach the top”.
They added:
“If you decide you don’t wish to continue, then please call us so we can discharge you.”
It ends “Yours sincerely. Not signed to avoid delay.”
So I suppose I should take comfort from the fact that I’m still on their books. I’m still on their radar and at least they’re acknowledging there is a delay.
But I think this is probably as much about saying “If you don’t want it, tell us so we can give it to someone else”, as opposed to “Let us support you and make you feel better about it.”
It’s been interesting to reflect on the continuing need of this intervention.
I’ve realised from the last couple of weeks that I still have work I need to do. I’m currently exploring that through the book Learned Optimism, which is about the sort of treatment and sorts of therapy I’ll be getting when this appointment has actually come through.
It will happen in about four months from now based on their last estimate. I’m looking forward to getting involved and dealing with these issues.
I think in hindsight, maybe the delay has probably been something that’s of benefit to me because of what’s happened over these last 62 days since I started doing this podcast.
I have settled into a healing process, albeit slowly. I have allowed things to surface and to bubble up.
I’ve had the odd blip, the odd relapse but I’ve started taking control of things. So I think actually I’ll be in a better place to deal with the issues.
I still definitely need the intervention because as I said a few days ago, it’s not fixed yet. I use the term “fixed” because it’s an easy bloke way of describing being healed.
It’s going to be an interesting journey, I’m sure.
So they’ve got in touch. I’m still on the books. It’s still not happening yet. That’s still disappointing I suppose, although I’m seeing it in a positive light because I have to.
Until tomorrow.
