Lived Experience Forum

[Bobby2015]

Good Morning,

                        I got a phams worker and was wondering if anyone else has a phams worker and was wondering what can l expect and has anyone had a positive experience.

[NikNik]

Morning @Bobby2015

I noticed you posted here and here about phams. Has their been progress? Have you been asigned someone?

Hope all is well.

[Bobby2015]

They rang me yesterday and will assign someone in around 3-4 weeks

[CherryBomb]

Hi @Bobby2015

In your first post you asked if anyone has experiences with a phams workers. I can't recall anyone off the top of my head who has had a phams workers, but I have had a couple of friends who are/were phams workers themselves. I can say, based on what they told me, it depends on who you get, and the dymanic between the two of you. Similar to psychologists, some are great, and others not so great. It's also an individual experiences - what one person likes, another person might hate.

Can I ask how you're feeling about meeting with your phams worker? Excited, nervous, frustrated?

In between now and you're first appointment, perhaps it might be useful to consider what you would like from a phams worker (e.g., easy to talk to, non-judgemental, upfront, sense of humour etc). Is there something in particular that you'd like to work on with them? Or perhaps, you're more of a go with the flow type of person. For me, being clear in my mind about expectations can really help build a relationship.

[Bobby2015]

I'm after a worker who can help with moving into my own home and social groups. I want a worker who wants to help as 2 previous workers gave up when things got tough, so a easy going person will help. But very nervous in who l get.

[Former-Member]

I think @mazarita has/ has had a phams worker. I have a mental health worker through uniting care wesley that does similar to phams. Ive been really lucky and felt really supported with having that back up person to come to appointments, even just get out of the house to the playground with and chat or help clean the house etc..

LJ

[Bobby2015]

Thanks lisajane, l hope l can get that support because l have neurosurgeon appointment every 8 weeks and asked if the phams worker can come to these appointments, after 21 specialist appointments in 12 months and having no one supporting me lm feeling down emotionally. So that support in medical appointments would be beneficial.