A manic depressive has been left for six weeks without prescribed medication because of a ‘lack of communication’ in the NHS, it is claimed.

Keith Money, 44, of Chigwell Road, South Woodford, was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder in 1994, and has been prescribed different types of medication to help with his condition over the years.

On January 3 he was prescribed Duloxetine by his psychiatrist at Mellmead House in Wanstead to help him feel less tired.

But six weeks later Mr Money is yet to be given the new medication because, he claims, the prescription is yet to be received by his doctor at the Rydal Surgery in Woodford Green.

Mr Money, a former prison officer, said: “The new tablets were recommended by my psychiatrist to give me a bit more oomph, because I am a bit sleepy in the morning and that’s the last I heard.

“I have been chasing it ever since.”

Mr Money claims to have phoned both his psychiatrist and his GP surgery several times over the past six weeks and has been passed backwards and forwards between the two.

He added: “I’m not getting anywhere. I have highs and lows and it’s the lows which are really hard to manage.

“I don’t believe that it is rocket science, surely my shrink or GP could pick up the phone or send an email to the other so that I can get on this new tablet before I throw myself under a train. 

“No wonder the NHS is in such a mess with this kind of service where two doctors can’t communicate with each other.

“I just feel forgotten about.”

Mr Money is currently taking Sertraline, which helps with his manic depression, but wants to start his new medication as soon as possible to improve his condition further.

A spokeswoman for North East London NHS Foundation Trust which manages Mellmead House said: “There was a delay in information being sent to from Mr Money’s psychiatrist to his GP, which was an error on our part.

“The information has since been sent.

“We have contacted Mr Money to apologise for the delay.”

Rydal Surgery declined to comment due to patient confidentiality.