I had a very productive meeting yesterday with the head of nursing for forensics who is leading the investigation into my complaint. She has been asked by the nursing director to conduct an independent investigation covering all of my concerns. I was pleased to note that she is independently looking at all of my concerns to date, however I'm concerned whether this is truly 'independent' given the investigator is a nurse within the Swansea Bay Healthboard. She was able to acknowledge that there have been multiple failures in my care to date. The investigation is ongoing but the investigator informed me that the initial report from my complaint will hopefully be delivered by the end of next week, which is positive. Timing is of the essence given the urgency of my complaint - mental health services in Swansea are putting lives at risk and need to do better! Also, Dr Robertson continues to work despite her shockingly negligent attitude and clear failure to meet her duty of care towards patients such as myself. The report will outline recommendations for my treatment and how things can be done better for me going forward. It will also address recommendations for organisational change in general, and any appropriate actions to be taken for change including potential displinanry action of some of the staff I've named.

This is a positive start but so many complaints have gone in over the years and just been ignored. I will be holding the investigator to account by ensuring that the report published is fully reflective of my experience to date with all failures recognised and the urgency for change based on my experience to date is emphasised. I will also be holding the healthboard to account by ensuring that any appropriate actions for change identified from the investigation are taken forward. Swansea Bay NHS needs to step up as mental health services have been failing for years. I am hopeful that me speaking up will allow failures which have been long going to finally be recognised and acted upon, as a matter of urgency. Change is needed now for myself and the thousands of others suffering like me. Swansea Crisis Team, Ward F and Swansea Community Mental Health Team need to step up and do better for people struggling - by working to help us with our mental health difficulties instead of against us. Lives will continue to be put at risk if change does not happen. 

Also, thank you to Wales Online for their article which highlights my story, and the emotional toll the experience of seeking help has had on my family due to the shocking treatment I've recieved to date.

You can read the article here if of interest - https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/health/teenager-says-nearly-died-after-31717467

Thank you to everyone who has supported my petition. Your support will help me as I continue to bring my experience forward as a call for change. Please continue to share my petition and story because as I said this is just the start - I will continue to speak up for change as services have been failing for too long. This cannot go on any longer.

Many thanks,

Jacob Robertson