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Care Opinion

Archway Centre

Posted By TJ1

"Archway Centre"

About: Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

(as the patient),

I came upon this site after speaking to someone in the waiting room who had been asked to come here and comment. I found the past comments very informative.

My own experience is much the same as previous commenters.

Despite the Trust's responses, my experience is that treatment is rationed.

It was made very clear to me that I can only be seen 6 times. I also feel that I was left with no support for very long periods of time - 4 or 5 months between appointments is not unusual.

The Archway Centre itself is beautiful - clean and nice to visit but I also find it embarrassing being in the middle of the shopping centre and I hate the delay between ringing the bell and being let in so everyone sees you standing there.

I have always found staff to be pleasant and nice but I do feel they do not listen to what I want, I was told what the treatment would be and that was that. No infomation is available either on different treatments so it is hard to make an informed opinion.

I am nearly at the end of my six appointments and feel no better at all. All in all it has been a complete waste of time going there.

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Responses

Response from Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust 13 years ago
We have made a change
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Submitted on 05/08/2010 at 10:17
Published on Care Opinion at 01:00

Dear TJ1

We have recently been working with Patient Opinion to identify how we may promote their service to enable our service users and carers the opportunity to feedback on their experience of our service. Thank you therefore, for taking the time to feedback your comments, including the very positive view of the Archway Centre itself.

In respect of the less positive experience you have had - during office hours you can access the building without ringing the bell, as the door is not locked, but I am now aware that this was not clear and a new sign has been ordered to correct this. Our staff have not directly received any comments that people find The Archway to be an awkward venue, but it is possible to be seen elsewhere if for some reason this is a problem.

In respect of your treatment; the recommended first step in the treatment of the kinds of problems that tend to bring most people into the service is to have about 6 sessions working with a Psychological Well-being Practitioner, either through a course or through guided self help. This is often sufficient to resolve the difficulty, but where this is not the case, then usually clients will be "stepped up" to other more intensive treatment. I am very concerned that you are reporting such long gaps in between treatment sessions, and am surprised that this has not come to our attention in the service. It is clearly not satisfactory and I would be grateful if you could contact me so I can investigate this situation. You can reach me on 01522 518600.

With best wishes,

Dr Carol Brady,

General Manager Psychological Therapies and Primary Care Mental Health

Update posted by TJ1 (the patient)

I am surprised that you have not heard anyone complain about the position of the Archway Centre. I attend the new patient forums that have been set up and this is one of the most common complaints at the forum. Service users just do not like a mental health centre in the middle of a shopping centre where everyone can see them go in. I was under the impression that our opinions at these forums were passed onto the Trust. Obviously not.

Numerous people have also warned me not to complain as in their opinion it leads to a biased service. In my view too many people have suffered as a result of complaining so I will not be contacting you.

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