The Staff at Holly Lodge have been caring for me for 5 years and I would like to thank them all, but specifically:
I have contacted the Psychiatric Team Secretaries during crises and they have always been very kind and helpful, especially Moira.
The Reception and Admin staff at Holly Lodge, always kind, helpful and free with their tissues
Vikki McConkey, my Specialist Mental Health Nurse has been the most important mental health worker to me. She has helped me to manage to live a life with depression. With kindness, humour, professionalism, practical advice, referrals for CBT and Psychotherapy, she has, over the years given me the tools to manage myself as well as is possible.
She is, by me and should be, by the NHS, valued as a prized asset.
Living in Kent, then moving to Oxfordshire, then Lincolnshire, I've experienced quite a variety of Consultants, Doctors and care workers in the Mental Health department of the NHS, some have been good, some ok, and a few very bad, but Vikki shines out like a beacon. As a patient, from the first meeting you feel cared for and listened to.
On a number of occasions since I was discharged from hospital in 2013, with different staff working in Mental Health, it was clear that when I was talking, they weren't listening, or were uninterested (I don't know how others with depression react to that, but I always shut down, never to confide again). I have never felt that with Vikki. Over the 5 years that I've been seeing her she's listened, empathised, sympathised, recommended so many different therapies, and made so very many helpful and thoughtful suggestions. She never judges, just listens and over the years I've laughed, cried (a lot!) and talked about everything from childhood to now.. I've found it difficult over the years to tell my story to/talk to/confide in, for many reasons, but have done so with Vikki, because of who she is and how she is. She has had my back for the last 5 years and been kind, thoughtful, caring, professional and funny...she changed my life, thank you Vikki x read more
