Share review of Community Services - Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Community Services - Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust 2024-04-25 Person 5 5 0

EPUT SEE Southend PCN (Hope I selected the right option. Kim Gladwin was very kind and encouraging during my two phone conversations with her. In my initial consultation she did not rush me. She did not 'feed me' with answers, but encouraged me to take my time to think about the answers. She was non-judgmental and I felt I could be honest with her. It was a relief to be able to talk to someone who came across as impartial and understanding. I was able to describe some of my symptoms and habits freely and didn't feel that I was 'crazy' or 'stupid'. Kim was true to her word and contacted me again when she said she would, and by phone and text, just as she said she would. Which was reassuring.

Kim did ask me, at the end of the consultation, if there was anything else I wanted to tell her. I couldn't think of anything at the time but I thought of things afterwards and it really worried that I hadn't communicated these things to her. Some information before the consultation such as 'you'll be asked about .. . .... .' might have helped me to prepare for this. Also I didn't have a way of contacting her to let her know of the other things I'd thought of afterwards (although I understand that the referral happened the same day, so probably too late anyway). I can understand why such details aren't given out, as practitioners could be harassed, and she did tell me that I could go through my GP to get in touch if I needed to.