"I have been treated as a person and listened to fully"

I was very nervous of having to have a referral to the North Lincolnshire Community Mental Health team due to very bad experiences in the past.  I put off asking my GP for help until I was quite unwell.

My actual experience has been positive with this team.  From the initial referral to the primary mental health team to the transfer to the North Lincolnshire Recovery Team.   Every encounter with the different members of staff I have met has been amazing.  The staff attitude, professionalism, knowledge and approach has been reassuring.  This includes, the reception staff at the Ironstone Centre, the Nurse Consultant, my lead professional (Gemma and initially Elaine), the Employment specialist, the psychologist, Dr Barron and Tammy (physical health checks).

I feel I have been treated as a person and listened to fully. I feel it has been a partnership and although sometimes I haven't agreed with some suggestions, the decision has been fully explained in a way that makes sense to me as well as reassuring me.

I am still nervous that I might meet someone in the team who isn't as professional and whose attitude is like those staff from the past.

I am waiting for therapy.  My only negative is one that is beyond the control of the team and that is the length of time people have to wait for a first appointment and to see a therapist.