Sent: 25 August 2023 09:36
To: SAR <SAR@westlondon.nhs.uk>
Subject: Re: Request for Investigation into Medical Negligence and Systemic Issues

Dear Sir or Madam,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Sam, and I am writing to bring to your attention a matter of serious concern regarding my treatment — or the lack thereof — at the hands of various professionals under the West London NHS Trust over a period of five years.

To provide some background, I am a survivor of the Asian tsunami, a traumatic event that left profound emotional scars. For my recovery, it was essential that I received timely and effective medical care. Unfortunately, my experiences with the West London NHS Trust have been far from supportive. Over these years, nearly 30 medical staff across different roles either dismissed my grievances or provided inadequate care, resulting in a significant decline in my mental well-being.

The negligence I experienced was so severe that during my subsequent PTSD treatment at Maudsley NHS, a considerable portion of the therapy was dedicated to addressing the trauma caused by the treatment I received at West London NHS. This included deeply distressing topics such as racial profiling and institutional biases, raising significant questions about systemic racism within the West London NHS Trust.

The consequences of this prolonged negligence were dire. I came close to taking my own life and faced legal troubles that could have resulted in a custodial sentence — outcomes that were a direct result of compounded traumas, further exacerbated by the Trust’s oversight and inability to meet my healthcare needs.

Given the gravity of these allegations, which verge on human rights violations and Gross Medical Malpractice, I urge the Trust to initiate an independent investigation into the matter.

I also request representation and assistance from a trauma specialist from Maudsley NHS during this process. Given the extent of the issues at hand, I believe it would be inappropriate for any individual or representative from West London NHS to be directly involved, due to potential biases or conflicts of interest.

Additionally, considering the seriousness and the potential implications of racial discrimination, I request that a representative well-versed in NHS equality matters be appointed to ensure a thorough and unbiased examination of the issues at hand.

The neglect I faced has had profound effects on my life. I lost my teaching career, the love and respect of family and friends, and ultimately, a stable place to live. The immense emotional pain I endured could have been avoided, and it is my fervent hope that my experience can serve as a catalyst for positive change within the Trust. It is essential for patients to have faith in their healthcare providers, and addressing these systemic failures is a step toward rebuilding that trust.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to a resolution that ensures such traumatic experiences are not repeated for others in the future.

Yours sincerely,

Sam

BBC World Service – The Why Factor, PTSD – My story is discussed in this BBC podcast.