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"Experience with Breathing Space"

About: NHS 24 / Breathing Space (Phoneline)

(as a service user),

Firstly I just want to say I’ve had many great experiences contacting breathing space, they have helped me through many tough times.

However I wanted to bring a few things to attention. I’m not normally someone who complains and I don’t want this to take away from the positive experiences I’ve had but there are a few things on my mind.

I want to say similar things have happened in the past. After waiting for 20mins, an advisor answered phone, said hello, and straight after they cut the call (like cancelled it straight away. This advisor never says their name (unlike others who do) and I’ve kept this to myself for a long time but last year, this same advisor (I recognise the voice), said hello and cut phone as though they were going to say hello, but quickly ended call.

I also wanted to say in addition on a regular basis someone is about to answer the phone (I can tell when the music changes, when someone is about to come on): one of two things often happens-

1) the music changes as though someone is about to answer and straight away the call is ended.

2) On other occasions the phone is about to be answered, the phone goes silent and no advisor has spoken (said hello, this is breathing space or anything to that effect). I don’t like saying hello first as it makes me a bit anxious, on many occasions I’ve sat in silence with no advisor talking, this goes on for a bit and either the call is cancelled after a while or I cancel it myself. I know that there is someone on the end of the line as , on some occasions I’ve heard someone shuffling papers/things going on it background, and other times can hear someone’s presence at end of phone (eg breathing)

Some days there is no issues with the service, other days there is lots of issues at once. I’ve been anxious to post this but I feel I need to say something about these issues.

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Responses

Response from Laura M, Patient Experience Officer, Nursing and Care, NHS 24 4 months ago
Laura M
Patient Experience Officer, Nursing and Care,
NHS 24
Submitted on 28/02/2025 at 13:07
Published on Care Opinion at 13:07


Dear 22Scotland

Thank you for sharing your story on Care Opinion.

I am pleased to read of the great experiences you’ve had when contacting Breathing Space. I also note the concerns you’ve raised and would appreciate the opportunity to look into this further. If you feel comfortable, could I ask that you contact our Patient Experience Team at Patient.Experience@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk, including your Care Opinion user name, and we can certainly arrange a further review.

In the meantime should you need to seek support or advice for your mental health, I would urge you to continue using our services, or to contact your own GP. The Samaritans can also offer support. For ease, please see details below:

Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 (Open 6pm to 2am, weekdays and 24 hours at the weekend).

NHS 24 Mental Health Hub: Call on 111 and select the Mental Health Option (Open 24 hours every day).

Samaritans: Call on 116 123 (Open 24 hours every day) or click on the following link: Contact Us | Samaritans

Thank you again for sharing your story. I know it wasn’t easy and I appreciate you overcoming your anxiety to provide us with this feedback. We value all feedback as it helps us improve our services. Your input makes a difference and we are grateful for your support.

Best Wishes,

Laura

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