A WOMAN says she was left in ‘tears’ after claiming she was turned away when seeking help at Furness General Hospital.

Bethany Armstrong, 26, filmed a clip of an interaction with staff from the mental health team while in the corridor outside of the A&E department at the Barrow hospital.

Bethany was taken to A&E by ambulance on Monday.

The video clip allegedly shows the feet of two members of staff from the mental health team, who are having a conversation with Bethany.

In the 25 second long video, Bethany says she needs their help as she is feeling suicidal, but a male staff member’s response left her in ‘floods of tears’.

After telling them her intentions, the male staff member can be heard saying: “Okay Beth, you know where to find us. Give us a ring.”

After reiterating her thoughts, he responds with: “Beth, I don’t believe you I’m sorry to say. See you next time around.”

Bethany Armstrong, of Harrogate Street, said: “That was literally the whole conversation after I was taken in by ambulance.

“The only part of the conversation that was missing was the first line because I didn’t press record in time because they came around the corner and I didn’t know that they were about to appear.

“That line was just ‘what can I do for you?’, and that’s it - that was my entire assessment.

“After I recorded that video, I left in absolute floods of tears.

“I don’t have great self esteem anyway, and that just sort of said to me, ‘you’re right, you don’t matter’.

“The services just need to care more and listen.

“I feel completely ignored.

“I just get told that my ongoing care is with the community mental health team, but they are only open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. What about the rest of the time?”

Bethany’s father, Dave Armstrong, who lives in Haverigg, was left disappointed when watching the footage.

He said: “I saw the video and it really wasn’t good and I wasn’t very impressed.

“In this day and age and with awareness of mental health supposedly heightened - and an issue at the forefront of the NHS due to the current pandemic - you would expect that there would be a better support structure put in place for long term sufferers of this debilitating illness.”

Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust (LSCFT), which the mental health team works under, acknowledged that they are aware of the video.

A spokesperson for LSCFT said: “We are aware of a video which has been filmed.

“We support people with a range of diverse needs and would want our teams to speak to people who are possibly in distress in a kind and compassionate way.”

If you need to seek help, call Samaritans on: 116 123

For advice on how to get help, visit: www.every-life-matters.org.uk