So... what makes a good key worker!

[Jimmy]

A good key?

One that listens and has empathy. A person that treats you as an individual and doesn't assume. One that can be arsed to read the guidelines relating to their field and have the gumption to abide by them despite demands from those adorned in, seemingly obsessed, by the color purple. A good key should take account of the patients history; carefully consider their case notes and act upon what is obviously working whilst avoiding what obviously hasn't. Someone who is trained in all aspects of addiction, including how to identify the genuine from the blagger. And that old chestnut - a key should not constantly witter on about reduction when it is obviously against the patients wishes and best interests. Mention 'it' occasionally by all menas but accept the patients response.

Also, remember who is the expert: the person who has spent half a lifetime addicted whilst learning what works for them in terms of recovery.

Finally, a different key per appointment is simply a pain in the arse, not to mention completely against the concept of building relationship and trust.

Best wishes to all
Jimmy

[froude]

Bonjour,In my experience,when you get a brilliant drug worker/Keyworker,they are'nt with you long as it soon gets around that they are actually good at their job,they are either poached or go to pastures new,every decent Key i have had went on to pastures new.My old one Debbie,she was good ,I had her all through me and the Misses's treatment for Hep C,and she gets intrested in it ,next bloody thing you know is she is going off doing Hep C tests and seeing people on Opiate treatment who are also doing Hep C treatment.Oh ok i blame myself for that  ::)lol.You can see where im coming from ,All the best Froude

[OP8S]

I had a counseller who knew me from a lad, me & her lads were always up to something. I asked for her specificaly, she is the only person at my local CDT that helped at all. Her son overdosed last january & she has just returned to work. I doubt whether she will want to take me on again simply because of the above reason, understandibly so. A visit to her once a month for 1hour has done far more for me than ever seeing a key. Now my present key complains that he is being made to do a counselling course at night school. Surely that should be the minimum qualification for one to one sessions, even if just a lowely key. Just now my one is ex-probation service! Thanks, CDT.
Maybe my counsellor will be able to resume meetings but I met her the other day, 1st time since I'd been the pall-bearer. She gave me a hug & we were both in tears. Very sad thing to happen to a wonderful lady.

[derek d j]

Bonjour,In my experience,when you get a brilliant drug worker/Keyworker,they are'nt with you long as it soon gets around that they are actually good at their job,they are either poached or go to pastures new,every decent Key i have had went on to pastures new.My old one Debbie,she was good ,I had her all through me and the Misses's treatment for Hep C,and she gets intrested in it ,next bloody thing you know is she is going off doing Hep C tests and seeing people on Opiate treatment who are also doing Hep C treatment.Oh ok i blame myself for that  ::)lol.You can see where im coming from ,All the best Froude

I went through Hep C treatment with a dsp that had determined to reduce my script regardless of such trivialities. You simply wouldn't believe some of the nonsense they told me. A key who understands how the treatment affects users and who can provide accurate information should be a fixture of every drug clinic in the country.

[OP8S]

Exactly Derek one part of the country goes by different guidlines than the other. Left hand doesn't know / or agree with the right hand. It's just a shambles, a lottery code basically when it comes to treatment. Increasingly so people are either trying to get into the Stapleford, or are just scoring off the streets. The powers that be could hardly get it so wrong if they tried & it appears they're trying ! Out-sourcing dependants to uncaring DSPs who really just care more about what their accountant tells them than the health of their patients. I needen't tell you, they fucked you over after 40years stability (?) & when you were suffering from the side effects of the Hep c treatment. Are you still under pressure to reduce, or change substances. Still never got your 10% back in i/v form did you.
Time to up sticks soon & re-locate somewhere more understanding if they are. I'm sure you'd of done that a while ago if it wasn't for your responsibilities.