Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT)

I have been seeing an experienced cbt therapist who has shown real compassion and understanding whilst encouraging me to think differently about things. I do think that all therapists should offer face to face and luckily mine does.

I've tried contacting them many times but no one ever came back to me. They then had a meeting about one and a half years ago without me there and decided to discharge me with no discussion. I now get no support and feel I really need it.

I find the support I'm given works well. I have weekly phone calls and it's great and what they're doing is working well.

It was a delight to be care for by the people in this trust. I really felt listened to and encouraged.

We've had very good support from the dementia and intensive support team for dad. They've been very good getting everything in place for us and supporting us all well.

I have had continual face to face appointments as needed, except for the psychotherapist, which was fine for me. Each stage is linked well with my surgery and if any adjustments are needed it all happens quickly. There is good communication between the service and my surgery which means I do not have to repeat myself.

Patients are left to their own devises 99% of the time, apart from the occasional night class. One staff did a survey with patients who had been there 3 months (on an a cute ward!) and asked about activities and laughed, pointing out how nothing happened. Some staff were good, but the whole experience was awful tbh. I went in as a voluntary patient but was told that I wasn't allowed out even though I was voluntary. Begged to go home and I was told that I couldn't because I would be sectioned if I tried. Laundry wasn't done ever though I was there 5 days. Was told off because I made a fuss of wanting to go home. Doctors don't seem to communicate with one another in terms of allowing patients their rights. Workers hate the place. Patients not told when they get put on 1:1 obvs. My room wasn't cleaned when I got there, and still had a stain on the desk.

My son moved back to Norfolk for family support from anther area where he was under the Mental Health team who provided excellent client service. A report was sent from the Mental Health Team to our GP who referred him to Norfolk and Suffolk Mental Health services (NSFT). He was contacted quite quickly and told he would be contacted by a talking therapies counsellor who would decide if they could help, if they couldn’t and he needed more help they would refer him back!

It seems no-one has read his notes from his previous Mental Health team and are leaving the assessment to “talking therapies” to decide. I’m sure the early first contact looks good on paper for their statistics but my son still needs help. He has had 3 psychotic episodes in the last 3 years and suffers PTSD, anxiety, low self esteem to name just a few issues but we have still not heard from the “counsellor.”

The family GP is carrying on prescribing medication put in place by the previous Mental Health services while he waits. It's hard to believe that he has not been given an assessment by Norfolk and Suffolk Mental Health Services prior to being signposted to a service that hasn’t even made a first contact. This is a very poor service.

Daughter has SMI diagnosis, long inpatient stay and under service for 10 years. Moved to independent flat, living alone and very limited support despite contact with Care Co repeatedly, stating she is lonely, stressed and not receiving appropriate support. She is unable to prepare a meal or maintain her home independently. I am ‘filling this gap’ as I cannot bear to witness her eating off dirty plates, cups etc and sleeping in a dirty bed. I am exhausted and have requested Carers Assessment but have not yet been contacted regarding this Assessment.
My daughter lacks insight into her difficulties and when asked she just replies she is ok. Due to poor diet she is now 5 stone overweight and has been told borderline type 2 diabetes. She eats junk food due to boredom and loneliness. I do what I can and my daughter stays with me from Friday to Sunday evening and I support with appropriate nutrition then and support her with food shopping for the week; ready meals, tins that she can heat up and bread, milk, tea, squash etc.
Care co appears only concerned that she takes her medications, which she does, and attends monthly blood tests.
Community support has been poor, weekly phone call and at times meeting for coffee. My expert recommendations has been she requires weekly rehabilitation with daily living; shopping, cleaning etc. I have enquired with care co about getting her a cleaner but his reply was there is no funding for this. My daughter has 117 aftercare and funding should not be an issue. I feel that my daughter is being let down and her wellbeing is being ignored as she does not ‘make a fuss’ and this is difficult for her due to social and communication difficulties.

I have been messed about by numerous staff within the emotional wellbeing hub with regards to getting and adhd assessment for my child.
I've been told my sons behaviour is too violent to be autistic by the autism team locum secretary, 4 referrals to the autism team rejected.
The primary mental health team were useless