Highlands House - Tunbridge Wells

Emily F.

I was under Highland House back in 2019-2020 and they were fantastic, they finally helped me after years of different doctors doing nothing. I don’t know if there’s been a change of management since then, a mass staff turnover, or whatever, but after being referred to them again this year I’d have been better off talking to my dog, at least he’d have listened to me. Awful communication and no intention to help someone who’s suffering

Lauren

I was passed over from the perinatal team to highlands house. My key person contacted me a few times and wasn't too helpful. I would get letters saying they would contact me and then they wouldn't. Although this wasn't ideal, the psychiatrist was very helpful, working in the background to get me extra support. I had regular catch-ups with the additional support person who was incredible, they really helped me and got back to me when I contacted them. After this I was seen by a CBT therapist and a trainee clinical psychologist. Both of which were fantastic, and the trainee clinical psychologist has actually helped change my life for the better. I have bee discharged and am feeling a lot better able to cope.

A L.

In October of 2023 I had an assessment during which I was severely depressed, so could not give a full detail of my symptoms because I was so low. This led to an incorrect diagnosis. When my parents and I made a plea once time went on and I since went through severe mixed episodes and looked back on past manic episodes, the psychiatrists ignored me and refused a assessment. I have since seen two psychiatrists who have said Highlands house diagnosis was incorrect, one they sent me to a town over, agreeing a diagnosis of bipolar 2 would be encouraged. Most recent doctor ignores all of this, ignores the doctor they sent me to for a second opinion, ignored my first ever assessment was incorrect because they caught me in a severely depressive episode where I could not give a full detail of my symptoms over the years & the fact the trainee doctor wrote incorrect information that was never even said as well as further refuses the diagnosis I should have, despite all of the mania symptoms and mixed episodes symptoms I have been suffering since I was 14 and have come close to death because of many times. I was waiting for this appointment for many, many months and was led to believe it would be a proper assessment. I have again, been ignored, told what I am going through despite none of these doctors living with me or witnessing my suffering. They have also ignored my parents pleas and insistence that since I was 14, I have been going through mania, severe depression and mixed episodes.

Rude, unwilling to listen. Ignoring of the truth. Refusing to apologise for their mistakes. I have again, come away from Highlands house deflated and knowing I face a uncertain future due to the lack of care and neglect. But when I inevitably end up no longer here - hopefully the law will hold the so called professionals accountable.

Highlands house is corrupt and constantly waste NHS resources by ignoring the real problems, running patients ragged and letting issues drag on for years with no resolution to the issue as well as their endemic neglect.

None of the psychiatrists seem to acknowledge or know what mixed episodes are in bipolar patients which means they offer no support or treatment for it. They are aware of, as I told the Dr today, of my lack of regard for danger and safety during my mania episodes, the thousands of strangers I speak to during it, the constant risks and danger I put myself in when going all around town by myself, almost getting tattoos and making decisions that out of mania, I would sorely regret and that would be very detrimental to my wellbeing.

Again, a NHS psychiatrist the town over that I was sent to by Highlands house because they didn't want to go against their colleagues misdiagnosis, said he would diagnose bipolar 2 just for Highlands house to ignore it despite their insistence I see another psychiatrist for a second opinion.

And all pals do is cover over the neglect and defend the wrongdoing despite it costing real lives and destroying families. But the numbers speak for themselves. 2 stars out of five and person after person reporting almost the same experience as mine, just different conditions and circumstances. Everytime I see anybody here, I am as well as my family, looked at with such disdain and treated as subhumans. Every time my parents have ever had be firm to try and save my life, they have been treated like they are not worthy of air or are yobs. Appalling is the only word left.

Update: discharged without telling me, turned up for an appointment before time to sit there for an hour before being told it was cancelled and that I've been discharged and now with another branch despite the fact that manager of that said branch wrote to the psychiatrists here to tell them to keep me here and find a solution to their neglect and how I have been left to suffer in episodes for the past year. But no, Highlands house just cannot take any responsibility for their systemic neglect. Worst run and managed NHS facility I have ever come across. No accountability. Just smug staff who look at you like vermin.

Peter N.

My experience with Highland House is very positive. I am suffering for Persistent depressive disorder and major depression, I have had several suicide attempts, when I gave up from my medication and all treatment they did not gave up on me and they checked on me many times if I am ok by visiting me and phone calls.
I am very grateful to Julia my Mental Health Social Worker for all our meetings, thanks to her I started my medications again and I am trying to cope with another day.
I also have great experience with counselling which I had with Priscilla, reception staff very friendly as well
From me - 5 start

Kayleigh H.

Don't want to help they diagnosed then send you off to struggle and when you go for help they send you off to other people and would rather wash there hands of you. They don't care about mental health they just push you away to become someone else's problem. Had a chat today and left it more depressed and alone then ever. If could give no stars I would

Update. Due to a mental breakdown in a serious manner I am now awaiting to see if can grt support. I finally after nearly 3 weeks been booked for assessment but have to wait 2 weeks and even then we don't know if I will get the treatment they want to do. There's no explanations of what there offering, no discussions into clear options with me they just decide what they do when they do it never update people they do not csre about mental health

Update 2. So had therapy and am ment to be having a review on next steps. They tried calling once.ci called back and left message
Have not heard from them in over week and I know they are doing reviews with others. I can't get hold of them
I'm feeling very abandoned and forgotten now

Update 3. Had crisis episode broke down crying panicking unable to function they hung up on me in crisis and wanted to tell me they gave me some therapy so I need to use that goodbye. They don't care they have no sense of care or compassion they are heartless and rude. Appalling service should be shut down and restarted from scratch

Abbie R.

I recently had an appointment there after pretty much having a breakdown.
Was really hard for me to let my guard down and talk things out. As soon as I mentioned I have mild autism they immediately blamed everything on that, even with me saying I know myself and my autism better than anyone else and this is not connected. They didn't listen and told me it was my autism and the anxiety suffered with years ago, which I told them many times is much better now and not even the problem. Feel completely dishearted and it's proven my point of not talking to anyone. Feel far worse than I did before I went.

John S.

Just a straight up awful place with deplorable psychiatrists. Made me feel worse and made me attempt suicide for the first time in a long time. You don't speak to a psychiatrist. You have to speak to a student first who then gave their hearsay opinion to the psych. Who then calls you back. When I recieved the call from the actual psychiatrist I felt immediately attacked like I was wasting their time. Not willing to discuss anything, just shouting "what do you want us to do about it?". They clearly did not understand my condition or how medication helps it. Made a statement that medication would not cure me and will only help with some of the associated symptoms. Well duh, that's the point.

If you are reading this because you have been referred, please see if you can find another place to help. If you do speak to someone, go in with the expectation that they will claim that your disorder does not exist and that you just need a little walk around the park to ease your anxiety.

It is difficult to even get to speak to a psychiatrist, having to deal with lazy, stupid, and rude ones here is distressing. I have no doubt people will have committed suicide as a result of dealing with this clinic, not that they care. Unless the blood is literally on their hands they just brush it off and refuse to accept any responsibility. Disgusting.

Denise A.

8 years ago my daughter who has learning difficulties had a breakdown. I don't know how I and my daughter would of survived without the help and support of Highlands House especially Dr Perera and the team that help support my daughter and still help her now.