Psychiatry-UK

Written by a NHS patient

Thrilled with the service here. Waiting lists were super long but not as long as others: and let's be honest I'd rather be kept on a waiting list than had poor care as a result of over-subscription. Everything done via the online portal, prescriptions delivered next-day to your door via DPD ... fabulous. If only all parts of the NHS ran this efficiently.

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Written by a NHS patient

I have been receiving treatment from Psychiatry-UK via ‘NHS Right to Choose’ for adult ADHD (initially for assessment then titration) and although it has had some challenges I couldn't be more pleased with the experience and outcome. From start to finish, the process (albeit a lengthy one due to a considerable demand and unforeseen medication shortages) has been reassuring and productive. The Psychiatrist who conducted my assessment was incredibly professional, thorough and took the time to really listen - validating the concerns that lead me to P-UK, confirming that I had not been ‘barking up the wrong tree’ regarding my mental health and in fact met the threshold for an ‘ADHD’ diagnosis. He then made sure I understood every step of the process, which made me feel comfortable and confident in the care I was to receive. Following the assessment, my titration was handled by my superb Clinical Nurse Prescriber, who was equally professional and supportive. He has been informative, patient, and always available to answer my (sometimes endless) questions, ensuring that I felt at ease and included in the treatment plan. As alluded to it wasn’t all plain sailing as medication shortages did unfortunately interrupt my titration. Every effort was made to continue my treatment until it inevitably had to be paused. As frustrating as this was at the time (for all concerned) dialogue was always open via the online portal and I was kept informed throughout. Upon resumption of my titration I was fortunate enough to be guided toward a treatment that benefited my ADHD symptom’s; An outcome I was made aware from the outset isn’t a certainty, as response to treatment is individual. Overall, my experience with Psychiatry-UK has been outstanding. To have a diagnosis confirmed first and foremost has been hugely beneficial. Finally knowing the cause / reason to my the difficulties over the years have been down to Neurodivergent rather than ‘broken’ thinking is not only a relief, but a much needed mindset shift to work with, not against my ADHD. A successful titration and effective medication treatment on top is a welcome addition to a toolbox I intend to add to. If I had to level out the glowing praise, it would be less a criticism of P-UK than a word of caution for anyone reading this, researching and about to make the leap to seek an assessment … as with many areas of healthcare these days, unfortunately - It ain’t quick. From GP referral to now hopefully returning to shared care, this has taken a almost two years (including a not normal 6 month titration pause due to shortages) and living with a condition where patience can be in short supply the process has had its frustrations. I found however, P-UK managed my expectations well, the process was always clearly communicated and estimated waiting times to reach the top of the assessment and titration lists; although initially frustrating were fair and pretty accurate. And at the point where you meet the personnel, I found them to be pleasant and professional. If any further endorsement were needed, had I stuck with my local NHS trust I’d still have another two / three year wait for assessment (quite possibly from experience, under radio silence). So I’m very happy with how ‘Right to Choose’ and Psychiatry UK worked out. I highly recommend their services to anyone considering an ADHD assessment / treatment through the NHS Right to Choose program.

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Written by a NHS patient

Nneka Kalu was exceptionally considerate and respectful. I’m very happy to have had her as my psychiatrist.

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Written by a NHS patient

I have no faults with Psychiatry-UK, the only issue I ever had was with medication supplies which was not their fault, and they remained communicative and supportive during that time

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Written by a NHS patient

I have known about my ADHD since I was 33 when I was a mature student at university and was then seen by an educational psychologist to see if I had dyslexia. It turned out the issue was more my ADHD which I didn't realise I had. After the onset of perimenopause, I realised that my ADHD was becoming more prevalent again. My initial symptoms had eased after completing university and having a baby. I now know more about the correlation between oestrogen boosting dopamine which of course is a huge part of ADHD. I started to receive HRT which helped alleviate some of the ADHD symptoms but all of them and so I asked my GP if I could be referred to an ADHD service for treatment. They signed posted me in the direction of the Right to Choose pathway. I undertook the paperwork/ questionnaire and chose to be referred to Psychiatry UK (Psych UK). This was number of years ago when I was placed on the waiting list for an assessment (approx 2019) around the time of the Covid-19 pandemic and when the waiting lists were not as high. The assessment took place when the country was coming out of the whole Covid pandemic place in November 2022. My consultant psychiatrist at Psych UK was reassuring and friendly (Dr Khadija Masood). She listened to me and was caring and understanding of my struggling with my experiences of ADHD throughout my life. After a lengthy assessment, it was determined that I had a combined/inattentive type of ADHD and she so agreed to refer me to Psychiatry U.K.'s titration services, where I would commence treatment on stimulants. I finally received the go ahead that my titration was ready to start at the beginning of March 2024. I was immediately assigned a titration nurse called Dean. Right from the offset he was humorous, attentive, caring and even replied to me out of normal working hours, answering any queries. He was also happy to regularly reassure me, as I was quite nervous about starting stimulants. Dean came across, friendly, calm and simplified things for me when I got confused (easily done with ADHD) and clarified facts in more detail when needed. This was particularly useful, especially when I was concerned about side effects. Nothing was too much hassle at all. I found that the process was further helped by the working relationship we had, as Dean took his time to get to know me as a person, not just looking at my ADHD as a problem to solve. This is, I feel an integral part of treating somebody with a neuro developmental disorder such as ADHD because it isn’t just as easy as fixing a broken bone or treating an illness like medical doctors would do as such. One hopes that the treatment plan aims to alleviate as many ADHD symptoms as possible, but it’s not always the case that every symptom is addressed. Purely because all ADHD medication is not a one size fits all for the brain chemicals affected that are being targeted. In short, every person is different, so the therapeutic effects will vary. In my case, after trying about three different medications, I settled on a combination of Lisdexamfetamine and Dexamfetamine. At first, I was unsure whether I could manage using two different drugs (one short acting and one long-acting stimulant), but Dean and I worked together to come up with a plan that would address all aspects of how my body metabolised the medication to reach full therapeutic potential. As I said previously, it’s not always possible to manage every symptom of ADHD medically, yet I have found that I am now a better more balanced person since commencing this regime. I believe that I am now, better able to manage my emotions, have more productive days and seem to remind myself of a more functionable, younger, much happier version of the Rebekah that I once was - when the lack of dopamine, oestrogen and the menopause didn’t collide. So, thank you Dean and the rest of the Psych UK Team, keep on doing a great job!

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Written by a NHS patient

My ADHD diagnosis referral was diverted here as part of an NHS programme and I have been so impressed. Within two weeks I had seen a doctor and was diagnosed. I have been told within two weeks I can expect to have medication delivered to my door. The doctor was so friendly and conducted a thorough look at my life and difficulties - I felt comfortable and understood. All the forms were digital so there was nothing for me to print out and lose. Can't fault anything.

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Written by a NHS patient

When I press submit nothing happens! In case I lose it, this is what I wrote. I will try again but I've just tried three times and ithe submit button doesn't do anything:/ Sally has been really helpful and accommodating throughout this process. I felt listened to , heard, and understood, which is really important. She has always been able to answer any queries I had in a comprehensible way, giving me a good amount of information and explanation. Everything has felt completely transparent and decisions made mutually. I am very glad that she has been my person for the titration procedure. The end of titration assessment was also very thorough and reassuring, and feels less abrupt than many "end of period" appointments. I feel confident that should I have any issues in the future, I will be able to access support and advice from yourselves. In my opinion, every doctor should "be more Sally".

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Written by a NHS patient

Fantastic and caring service, thank you!

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Written by a private patient

Rali Kareem has been so helpful and supportive in trying to find the right medication

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Written by a NHS patient

I received great care during my titration with Rebecca Salazar, she is so caring and her responses to my questions were always quick and really helpful, I am so grateful for my experience!

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