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Mental health assessment

Posted By paprikagf75

"Mental health assessment"

About: Talking Therapies Doncaster

(as a service user),

Rang and got an appointment same day with Talking Therapies for an assessment. Assessment completed - really tough to be open and honest with a stranger. Clinician listened but reminded me we only had 45 minutes. Agreed care plan moving forward but have to wait at least 3 months for therapy.

Went through assessment thinking - I'm going to be ok - then told 3 months for step 3 therapy. Went back to thinking well how do I manage in the meantime? Given crisis number. I get waiting lists are long but waiting for therapy for severe anxiety and health anxiety when it has been acknowledged is disappointing. All I can do is take it day by day.

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Responses

Response from Timothy Godley, Team Manager, Doncaster Talking Therapies, North Lincolnshire Adult Mental Health and Talking Therapies Care Group, ROTHERHAM DONCASTER AND SOUTH HUMBER NHS FOUNDATION TRUST 2 months ago
We are preparing to make a change
Timothy Godley
Team Manager, Doncaster Talking Therapies, North Lincolnshire Adult Mental Health and Talking Therapies Care Group,
ROTHERHAM DONCASTER AND SOUTH HUMBER NHS FOUNDATION TRUST

Submitted on 14/08/2025 at 14:20
Published on Care Opinion at 14:21

picture of Timothy Godley

Hi Paprikagf75,

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on the service. I work as one of the Team Managers for the Doncaster Talking Therapies team. I am sorry to hear that you are struggling and the long wait for your Step 3 high intensity treatment.

I would like to provide assurances that we are working hard to reduce these waits where possible and have a number of initiatives, including focusing on maximising appointment availability and ways to reduce any missed and cancelled appointments.

Doncaster Talking Therapies is currently averaging at around 1000 referrals per month with waiting times for step 3 high intensity therapy being recognised as a problem nationally. We have been pleased that nationally additional funding has been set aside as the Autumn statement for the expansion of Talking Therapies workforce. This involves training additional allocate therapists up on an annual basis until April 2029. We are just completing recruitment for additional allocated staff. Although this will take time we hope we can continue to grow the workforce to meet the demands on the service and is a positive start.

Again I would like to apologise for your experience and the current waiting times and can provide assurance that we are focusing on this, to try and improve the service and our patients experience.

Kind Regards

Tim Godley

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