Psychiatry-UK

Written by a NHS patient

The wait times even for simple communication with the PUK admin team are just not good enough. It's absurd that there is no way to know your actual wait times are before signing up with PUK. The true wait times are hidden behind a password-locked patient portal, and not displayed clearly on the main website's homepage. Each time I logged into the patient portal over months and months of waiting, there was always a new announcement about "unprecedented" wait times for each step of the process. Months to get my referral added to the system. 6 month wait for the first 45 minute appointment with a doctor. A further 7 months or more until the first of many required appointments for medication titration. At every step of the way, I had to send messages to the PUK admin team in order to get an appointment or required documents from my doctor. Simple document uploads documenting patient care take a week or more. NHS Right to Choose patients, once they are signed up to your service, have no choice but to stay with PUK or go private. I have to say that the lack of transparency about wait times on listed for prospective patients on the main website is negligent at best.

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Written by a NHS patient

They were informative and responded to queries and questions quickly. The titration nurse prescriber was caring and informative but I would have like the opportunity to talk remotely face to face on occasion.

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Written by a NHS patient

I have used psychiatry UK following an NHS referral. The wait time was shorter than expected, as was the wait for medication. The patient portal means than things are done in an timely manner and you always know where you are up to with your treatment. All the staff I have encountered are polite, helpful and knowledgeable.

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Written by a NHS patient

Psychiatry UK has been really brilliant with their support. I had an assessment very soon after being referred, which came as a big surprise as I'd heard of people waiting for a year or more. The assesment was professional and straight forward. I wasn't sure what to expect because it was all very new to me and I was experiencing some imposter syndrome, but the person I talked to was clear and didn't question/devalue my responses in any way. I've been especially blown away by the brilliant titration team - especially thanks to Liz. I kept in touch via the Psych UK patient portal, where messages and weekly forms can be found. The irony of someone with ADHD having to fill out regular forms about their ADHD isn't lost on me... however they include only simple multi-choice/fill in a number questions, so no procrastination issues for me. Liz, my prescriber, was in contact regularly and was really caring in her communication. She'd reply within a day, if not a few hours. We changed the medication a few times to find the optimum dosage, with forms to monitor the results each time. Liz was quick to resolve issues I had with dosages and didn't rush to end titration at all - she checked in a few times to make sure I was definitely happy with the dosage before she handed over to the consultant. I really appreciate the reassurance that this has given me! I am waiting for a final consultation with Psychiatry UK, but am absolutely satisfied with the care that they have provided. Having an ADHD diagnosis with no prior knowledge can be overwhelming and disorienting - Psych UK has allowed me to feel validated, properly heard, and confident to move forward with a better understanding of how to best help myself. Thank you!

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Written by a NHS patient

The assessment process was great, I felt like I was being listened to and supported. I was finally given the acknowledgement and understanding that I needed. However, titration has been a nightmare and I'm pretty surprised about all the other good reviews, maybe I got unlucky. Unfortunately I have had issues with my blood pressure and heart rate from the beginning, and my GP was concerned, and sent a letter to psychiatryUK to discuss next steps. I was sent for an ECG which came back as abnormal and was referred to cardiology because of dizzy spells by my GP, then I had a note on my portal from my consultant to say that the ECG was normal. I challenged this politely, just to ask for some clarity. Then of course my titration was closed, I received a message to say we're glad we've been able to support you in finding the right medication and are going to close your titration now. I'm really frustrated to be honest. I don't feel I've been listened to and I certainly don't feel I'm on the right meds at the right dosage. I know they're limited to a certain amount of weeks now but they completely disregarded all of my blood pressure, heart rate updates and new development of panic attacks from the beginning, it's just a race to get through. I'm sorry but no I probably wouldn't recommend if you're anything but a straight forward case.

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Written by a NHS patient

The level of communication is unparalleled. I am very grateful to members of my care team for taking me seriously and for their detailed responses to any questions I had for them or to any form I submitted to them.

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Written by a NHS patient

I could not have asked for more from psychiatry UK. The consultation for ADHD was thorough and showed very clear understanding of how this affected me. I was also helped in items of shaping m own insights. The titration was wonderful. My nurse, Helen was so understanding and supportive. The process itself was such a great help in finding the right dose for me and ensuring my continued health. Finally, the advice and reassurance about the future was so kind and empathetic, as well as reassuring and insightful. This treatment has been life-changing for me. At 57 I am finally able to be myself without all the extra difficulties that I just thought were a part of life being so hard to navigate. I’ve had an amazing experience but I also genuinely feel the NHS and the taxpayer has gotten great value from Psychiatry UK. There is no way I could have had this experience and positive outcome via the NHS. It’s also allowed me to make a greater contribution to society because I’m able to work far more effectively and add more value to public service via my own work. To my doctor and my nurse Helen, I’d just like to say “Thank you so much. You’ve changed my life and I will never forget you

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Written by a NHS patient

A great team, who were very patient and understanding. Every department were empathetic and reassuring. The triation period was fantastic, fast responses, knowledgeable, and patience when finding the right medication.

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Written by a NHS patient

I had a really great experience throughout the whole adhd diagnosis treatment, my initial assessment was easy to access and a lot less intimidating than I had thought, I’ve felt really supported throughout the whole process and Helen has helped me with any issues or questions I have had throughout.

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Written by a NHS patient

This service lacked a positive, holistic approach to prescribing. The process was overly time consuming and impersonal. I frequently felt like I had to use every ounce, in order to receive the most appropriate medication.

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