"EMDR therapy"

Dear Treehugger100,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We really appreciate the balanced perspective you have provided, and it is helpful to hear what has worked well alongside the areas that have been more difficult.

I want to recognise the strength and courage it can take to attend appointments, particularly when you already feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Your commitment to engaging with support is genuinely acknowledged. It’s positive to hear that the clinician you worked with made you feel supported and helped you to engage, and I will ensure your kind comments are shared with the therapy team as recognition of the care they provided.

We understand that changes to appointment rooms and environments can feel challenging and unsettling, especially when people are already managing difficult emotions or experiences. Having to adjust to different spaces can understandably add to anxiety, and we are sorry this has had an impact on your experience.

In relation to the mixed-sex toilets, thank you for raising this. I appreciate why this may feel uncomfortable, and I will escalate this concern through our building management group to ensure it is reviewed.

We are also aware that some other people have raised concerns about the size of some of the appointment pods. There are some larger rooms available at Elizabeth Quarter, however these are limited. As a result, we will look to improve how we inform staff about alternative rooms and buildings that may be more suitable, and we will also continue to explore further options for alternative therapy space within the local area.

Thank you also for highlighting the importance of communication during service changes. Although there has been some communication, it is clear this has not felt adequate or consistent, and we are sorry for the additional uncertainty this has caused. We will reflect on this feedback carefully and consider how we can improve communication going forward, so people feel better informed and more prepared for appointments.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience, as it helps us to improve the service for everyone. If you would be willing to discuss any of these points further with me, please contact me on 03000 216300.

Best wishes,

Chris Sanderson

Dear Treehugger100,

My name is Chris Sanderson and I am the Lead Psychological Professional for Community Mental Health Services in North Lincolnshire.

I wanted to provide a brief update following my previous response and to thank you again for taking the time to share such thoughtful feedback about your experience.

As mentioned previously, the concern relating to the mixed-sex toilet facilities has now been raised with the building management group. At present there are no immediate changes that can be made within the building, however the issue has been logged and will remain under review as part of wider discussions about the facilities.

Following your feedback, we have also reminded colleagues about the option of using larger consultation rooms where this may feel more comfortable for people. These rooms are limited within Elizabeth Quarter, however staff have now been provided with information about other suitable rooms that can sometimes be used in Scunthorpe and across North Lincolnshire. Where appropriate, we can also offer video appointments if this feels like a more manageable option for some people.

Your comments about communication during service changes have also been shared with colleagues. We have had further discussions within the team about the importance of communicating changes in different ways and making sure people feel informed and prepared. We are also continuing to strengthen how we involve people who use our services in shaping psychological therapies and service developments, so that future changes are informed by the experiences and views of the community we serve.

Thank you again for sharing your experience so openly. Feedback like this helps us to reflect on what we do well and where we need to continue improving.