This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Mental Health at Rockingham Hospital

Posted By caelumrn83

"Mental Health at Rockingham Hospital"

About: Rockingham General Hospital / Adult and Older Adult Inpatient Mental Health Unit (Closed and Open) Rockingham General Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

I am newly diagnosed with bipolar and am experiencing one of the worst lows of my life.

My initial experience at Rockingham was pleasant, the triage nurses had me out the back as soon as I was checked in.

I then had the pleasure of being told to lie in a bed in the middle of the thoroughfare for all to see and wait to be breath tested. I felt degraded. I came in to save myself from suicide and found myself wanting it more. It was degrading. Eventually by midnight a lovely nurse had me a bed behind a curtain and knocked me out with some drugs, only to wake disorientated in the hall again.. what a shock to the system. Finally after being their for 12 hours I was discharged all while being diagnosed with bipolar and knowing I'm suicidal - because they have no beds in the mental health ward. So now I'm back at square one wondering how I can get through the day. What is this system coming to?

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Kath Smith, Executive Director, Rockingham Peel Group, South Metropolitan Health Service 5 years ago
Kath Smith
Executive Director, Rockingham Peel Group,
South Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 14/02/2019 at 3:47 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:47 PM

picture of Kath Smith

Dear caelumrn83

I would like to thank you for taking the time to share your experience during your presentation to Rockingham General Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) recently.

I am sorry and concerned to hear of how you are feeling and want you to know that you are not alone. Whilst there are pressures on Mental Health beds there are supports within the community. Your General Practitioner (GP) may wish to refer you to a specific Community Mental Health Service or develop a Mental Health Care Plan for you and I would genuinely urge you to contact your GP as soon as possible. Alternatively you can contact your local Community Mental Health Service directly; Peel Community Mental Health (08) 9531 8080 or Rockingham Community Mental Health (08) 9528 0600.

Additionally, I sincerely apologise that your experience at our ED wasn’t a positive one and understand that it must have been a very distressing time for you. I assure you that our medical and nursing staff endeavour to provide the best medical care to all patients at all times.

In order for us to review your individual care I encourage you to please contact our Consumer Liaison Office on (08) 9599 4632 or (08) 9599 4323 during business hours Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 4.30 pm.

Kind regards

Kath Smith

Executive Director

Rockingham Peel Group

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k