Help! Letter from my GP - can I ignore it?

I was discharged from CAMHS a year ago (I had anorexia). The terms of my discharge made no mention of any follow up appointments. I am now 17 years old. Today I received this letter from my GP practice:

Dear X (and mother)

We are writing to inform you that we have not heard from your specialist for a while.

If you have not already done so, please contact reception to arrange an appointment WITHIN SIX WEEKS to see DR X in the Follow up Clinic, to discuss your progress and well being.

Please do not be concerned about this letter, as you would have been contacted by the practice, if there were any need for immediate action.

Yours sincerely, Administration Office

What will happen if I don't make a follow up appointment? Can they actually force me to make this appointment? If I refuse to make the appointment can my Mum make one on my behalf and make me go to it?

But I was already discharged and this was not in the terms of my discharge. I do NOT want to go and see no reason to. Discharged = no more doctors appointments.

They might just want to see how your doing, check you arnt still ill and in need of support. I think its worth going, unless theres a reason your so against it?


Posted from TSR Mobile

I'm assuming that you don't have any experience of CAMHS.

Being in their care was the most humiliating, degrading, and downright cruel treatment which I have ever been subjected to. They treated me like a 2 year old, took away all my rights, made me undergo personal and embarrassing examinations all while completely ignoring my opinions. It was patronising, ineffective, terrifying and almost made me take my own life. So you can see why I might be slightly put off by all doctors after that.

I personally havnt dealt with CAMHS but have had many dealings with adult mental health both personally and with my boyfriend.

I know the services can be utterly ****, but i reckon this appointment is purely for you own benefit, you could even get an advocate if you want, if your worried about not being listened too.

Are you recovered now?


Posted from TSR Mobile

I am able to live my life functionally and happily. I still have weird habits like counting up everything I eat but I think I am as recovered as I ever can be. This does not mean that I plan on going within a mile of any doctor. So my question isn't SHOULD I go, it's CAN I get away with not going?