"Felt like it was designed to catch you out"

Thank you for reaching out and sharing your experience. I am very sorry to hear that the assessment process felt confrontational and left you feeling worse rather than supported. That is not the experience we want for any patient, and I understand how distressing this must have been for you.

Our aim is to provide compassionate and effective care, and I regret that this was not how you felt during your assessment. Your concerns are important to us, and we will take them into account as we continually work to improve the way we support patients, especially during times of crisis.

If you are feeling burned out or at the end of your rope, please know that you are not alone, and there are additional sources of support available, including:

Your GP – If you have not already, I encourage you to speak with your GP, who can explore further support options with you. Mental Health Crisis Support – If you need urgent mental health support, you can contact NHS 111 for advice. Local Wellbeing Services – Many areas have talking therapy and wellbeing services available for free. Charities and Support Networks – Organizations such as Samaritans (116 123) and Mind (0300 123 3393) offer confidential emotional support.

I appreciate how difficult this experience has been for you, and I want to assure you that your feedback will be shared with the relevant team so that we can learn from it. If you would like to discuss your concerns further, please do not hesitate to reach out. Your well-being is our priority, and we want to ensure you receive the support you need.