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"Zero understanding on how to communicate with patients"

About: City and Hackney mental health services / ADHD service

(as the patient),

Immersive Reader

The only time I am partially treated adequately is after I’ve had to make a complaint and even then it doesn’t feel like they are trying to help me but to get me discharged back to my GP as soon as possible.

The information given by the medical practitioners I have received doesn’t match the information then provided by other staff or team members within the clinic.

There was no support or guidance given during my time at the clinic or post discharge.

I don’t believe enough questions are asked to get a good understanding on my needs or my relevant personal, social and medical history.

They can barely address me correctly within appointments and post-app summaries. It makes it even harder to trust and feel safe within their care. 

There was zero support or guidance given when I expressed difficulties with the internal changes due to the medication and I was immediately discharged.

There was no consistency in the regular checks required with some claiming I need to go monthly tests and others claiming that's only necessary for “serious” situations.

With the complaint procedure, I feel there was zero understanding on how to communicate with the clinic’s patients. There were no accessibly adjustments and each response felt like an ableist attack so I just gave up and didn't bother advocating for the support I should have been entitled to.

The space itself is so overwhelming. The waiting area is so small and cramped. The reception “box” is double the size of the waiting area. Things are placed so awkwardly that if it is not empty you have to get other patients to move just to get water. It can be really challenging. I feel this is not a suitable set up for neither of the departments patients in the clinic.

I could honestly go on but after the numerous amounts of complaints I’ve raised, it feels pointless.

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Responses

Response from Janet Flaherty, Patient Experience, East London NHS Foundation Trust 11 months ago
Janet Flaherty
Patient Experience,
East London NHS Foundation Trust
Submitted on 19/08/2024 at 11:20
Published on Care Opinion at 11:20


Immersive Reader

It sounds like you have had a pretty unsatisfactory experience all-round. I am sorry that you have not felt that you had the support, consistency or even a comfortable setting for your needs. I can see that you have already tried to raise these issues and are unimpressed with the response you have got - so I understand if you don't want to set off again. I will forward this feedback to the service - but please email: elft.communications@nhs.net if you would like us to revisit these issues. Put FAO JF in the email field and it will be forwarded to me.

Thank you for this feedback. It does set out how it can feel to be in contact with our services. It is only by hearing such perspectives, that we can take stock and try to improve.

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