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"Lack of compassion and consideration in a difficult situation"

About: Maroondah Hospital

(as a parent/guardian),

My adult child is currently in your mental health assessment area as an involuntary patient.  Originally it took over 3 weeks for anyone to even contact a family member to notify them of the situation.  When the doctor spoke to my child's nominated next of kin (their sibling), the doctor was patient and we felt honestly trying to assist my child by taking all our information into consideration.  

Unfortunately that is where the communication finished, as we never received any further information about treatment or action plans.  As a nominated next of kin, we feel we have the right to know why my child is being held and their treatment plan. This information was never given to us.  

When we called the area, we felt the nurse was extremely rude telling us they were busy and didn't have time for us. Dealing with a family member with mental health issues is heartbreaking and we feel completely shut out from the process.   

More recently we have been told that my child doesn't want any contact with family and there was nothing we could do.  We are a family in pain that has been dealing with this for nearly 10 years and believe we need to be treated with respect and compassion.   We have not been given any options or information on how we could work together to assist my child and we are totally frustrated to know we have found our missing child and we feel we have no one willing to work with us to allow us to see them.

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Responses

Response from David Plunkett, Chief Executive, Eastern Health 6 years ago
David Plunkett
Chief Executive,
Eastern Health
Submitted on 16/04/2018 at 3:16 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:56 PM


picture of David Plunkett

Dear Flanno

Thank you so much for taking the time and provide feedback regarding your experience with the Eastern Health Mental Health services. I'm sure this has been a difficult time for all involved especially as your adult child is being treated as an involuntary client.

I would welcome you making contact with either myself at david.plunkett@easternhealth.org.au or via the Eastern Health Centre for Patient Experience on 1800EASTERN or feedback@easternhealth.org.au so we are able to ascertain from you your adult childs details. Once we have these, we can then work through what options are available regarding your involvement in their care, or other nominated next of kin.

I'm sorry your experience on the phone was not positive. I hope your adult child is receiving the care they need and hope to either hear from you shortly, or through the Centre for Patient Experience.

Many thanks Flanno and kind regards

David

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