Erith Centre - Erith

Elizabeth

I was unexpectedly discharged from Oxleas due to what was described as an “inability to provide a safe environment for my care” — a decision that came after years of systemic failure. I’ve debated posting this, but I wouldn’t want another woman to walk in hoping for help, only to leave with more trauma than she arrived with.

There are some kind, thoughtful therapists here. Sadly, they operate within a structure that enables harm and silences those who witness it. It was only after I left that I learned what had been said about me behind closed doors and it turned my world upside down.

My wider experience within Oxleas mental health services was defined by:

– Being insulted, manipulated, shouted at, and gaslit during crisis by duty workers and crisis line
– Clinical notes being fabricated and diagnoses added by people I’d never met
– Being discharged for questioning decisions
– Referred to by my disability rather than my name
– Repeated breaches of confidentiality
– Male clinicians behaving inappropriately during moments of extreme vulnerability
– A complaints process that often compounded the harm through gaslighting and deflection

Through a Subject Access Request, I discovered just how much had been written about me that was false, damaging, or entirely fabricated. One of the individuals who diagnosed me wasn’t even medically qualified, something I only confirmed after checking with the GMC. Several clinicians appeared to weaponise the power imbalance, especially when challenged.

I was laughed at while in crisis, mocked, and at one point told to end my life by a crisis clinician. When I came out of hospital and begged for help (simply asking for my medication back) I was told the team was “fed up with me.” Years on, I’m still fighting to access that same medication, denied for personal and unexplained reasons.

Duty staff would often forget to hang up the phone — that’s when you really hear what clinicians think of you. I was also frequently sexually harassed by male clinicians under the crisis service. It was bizarre, disturbing, and seems to point to a wider cultural issue.

There is a clear, consistent refusal to diagnose trauma-related conditions in women, even when symptoms are severe and longstanding. If you ask why, you’re told that it’s because you’re a woman and therefore can’t be diagnosed with PTSD.

To any woman navigating Oxleas: record every single call and appointment. If and when your reality is denied (and it likely will be) you’ll need evidence, not just for complaints, but to protect your own truth and sanity.

If I could go back in time, I would have found the money to access private care. The level of iatrogenic harm within these services is extreme and it’s something you only fully understand once you're inside the system.

To anyone else who’s been harmed by Oxleas: it is not your fault. You are not “difficult.” You are not imagining it. And you deserved better.

Benjamin J. S.

Been told a told a lie when i was moved from ADAPT to well-being hub from a 2 year waiting list that they stopped care coordinators they don’t see you face to face and take long to review your situation or crisis. I had a very good coordinator called Keith but he left after two years I last was seen. Not even been spoken to my allocated nurse since the groups stopped. Need to do assessment for the recovery crisis house.

They make excuses about writing a letter.

Grace L.

I attended here when I was extremely unwell and in desperate need off support. However this wasn't what I got, reception staff are rude, unhelpful and make you feel very uncomfortable. Given people are attending when they are feeling extremely vulnerable it isn't reassuring when you are met with staff who make you feel somewhat worse.

I wasn't offered any form of talking therapy or treatment just provided with medication that was upped in a short space of time resulting in extreme side effects and heart palpitations. When I advised them of this they didn't respond.

I was able to pay for private treatment and be given the correct mediation and treatment plan with the right support I have mad huge improvements.

However to this day I have still not heard from the erith centre, so for all they know I could be dead.

I understand the NHS are under extreme pressure but I would not recommend the erith centre to anybody. My experience was awful and I hope improvements have been made since.

Claire H.

Absolutely awful. I was referred here suffering severe depression and anxiety to the point I was vomiting every day, could rarely leave the house and was suicidal. I attended the day treatment service which consisted of groups offering basic, introductory psychotherapy-when I have a long history of doing CBT and already know how to identify my feelings, challenge my thoughts etc-and self directed cookery, art etc. I stopped attending due to my illness and fact it was useless to be sent a letter telling me to phone or I would be discharged. No one asked why I wasn't attending or if there was anything they could do to make it easier for me to attend. My care coordinator is terrible and has done nothing except tell me to take medication and claimed she will phone Mind for me then told me I was meant to phone Mind. Asked to change, told by the team leader it will take a week as they need a meeting about it, it's now been almost 3 weeks and they still have not contacted me. I asked to be referred for individual therapy 4 months ago and the referral has still not been done! Just offered groups which are not specific to my situation and at a time when I couldn't even interact with friends, let alone strangers. Blamed for "not trying" or "not engaging" when I was too ill to do what was expected of me. Dealing with this organisation involves lots of chasing them up by phone to avoid discharge or ensure they are actually doing their job so tough luck if you have phone anxiety or communication difficulties and no advocate. Expected to navigate your own care when unwell. Useless.

Deborah W.

Telephoned erith centre today to speak to the assessment team as I had a missed call from them. My GP referred me a few weeks ago but I've had no contact til today. The lady informed me that a letter has been sent out to me on 25th April informing me that my assessment would take place today at 9.30am. I told her I was expecting an assessment but that I had not received the letter informing me of this appointment. She then proceeded to insinuate I was lying in a very rude way!! If this is the service we have to rely on they need to brush up on their communication skills! I'll be contacting my mp now because I know they will now send me back to my GP!!!

Aby T.

This review is based on my most recent visit, all previous visit has been brilliant. Today I met with Dr J and to me she does not know what mental health is all about. She started talking to me about how things are done back home in her country. She actually made me feel worse than I was when I saw her. I will hate to see her again. I wish I could change my consultant. I’m not usual forcie but she made me feel useless and stupid, like I do t know me. 👎

Jack E. C.

Yeah, so I'm leaving this review to tell anyone who is genuinely interesting in getting the low down on this place, somehow they have deleted all negative reviews! I have had so many terrible experiences with the staff here, too many to go into. And lots of other people left similarly negative reviews. I really think anyone who is referred here should refuse and I will try my best to look into how the year have managed to get a perfect five star review because that is highly suspicious. I certainly didn't change mine! Cheats.

Bernie C.

If you weren't feeling depressed before, you will be.
I was referred there to attempt to understand why and how my illness affects me. I was diagnosed as emotionally unstable and told to attend group therapy, where people share horror stories that re-enforce my belief that this world is not worth living in

When I attempted to discuss, humanity's psychological instinct and behavioural responses, I was told "This is not a forum scientific or philosophical debate"