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Care Opinion

Not being listened to

Posted By cruxkw88

"Not being listened to"

About: Karri Adult Mental Health Ward

(as the patient),

I've been a patient at Armadale Hospital for a few days now. I was admitted for anorexia and came as a voluntary patient. I've been tube fed for several days and have began eating orally. I came in with severe stomach pain and the Drs were amazing at ruling out anything serious. 

I'm feeling very uncomfortable being in hospital and want to continue my recovery journey at home. I feel strong enough mentally and physically to do so. I've been cleared medically and recently asked the psychiatric team if I could be discharged. They refused to listen and didn't want to discharge me. I explained how I felt about being here but I believe they didn't want to listen. I have gained just over 2kg since being admitted and yes, my BMI is still below 16.

I want to eat my own food that I prepare in the comfort of my own home. I'm not at risk to myself but the psychiatric team deemed me to be and so when I asked to be discharged, they argued and one of the doctors put me on forms. 

Currently, I'm formed and am under watch. I'm extremely distressed. I feel as though I haven't been heard or listened to. My opinion and how I feel has not been heard. I feel the Dr didn't want to hear what I had to say and automatically assumed I couldn't handle going home.

I came in as a voluntary patient, and now my right to leave has been taken away from me. I'm extremely angry, distressed and now am refusing to eat as all I want is to go home.

I want a second opinion and have been told I have to wait about 3 days. 

After reading the Mental Health Act, I do not meet the criteria to have been formed and no one wants to listen hence why I have come to this forum. 

A patient's voice should be heard and taken into account and mine has not. The Dr has made me feel like I am a nobody and if it comes to needing a hospital admission again, I certainly will not come back. I'd rather suffer than have to deal with Drs again.

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Responses

Response from Diane Barr, Executive Director, Armadale Kalamunda Group 4 years ago
Diane Barr
Executive Director,
Armadale Kalamunda Group

Submitted on 25/11/2019 at 3:08 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:08 PM

picture of Diane Barr

Dear cruxkw88,

Thank you for letting me know about your recent experience at Armadale Health Service. It was disappointing to hear that you felt that staff did not respect your voice when discussing your treatment and how this made you feel.

Patients should feel included in the decision making process about their care. In saying that, the doctors must have been very concerned about your current health, and felt that it was in your best interests to stay for longer.

I would like to express an apology on behalf of the hospital that you didn’t feel heard or respected and that this experience has made you question coming back to receive care.

I acknowledge that you have been in contact with our Consumer Liaison Office to lodge your feedback and requested a formal response. You are also welcome to meet and discuss your concerns further with the Director of Mental Health. If you wish to do so, please call the Consumer Liaison Officer on 9391 1153 to facilitate a meeting.

Once again, please accept my apology. I wish you all the best in your health care journey.

Di Barr

Executive Director

Armadale Kalamunda Group

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by cruxkw88 (the patient)

Thank you for the apology, though there’s only one Dr I wish to get an apology from, which is what Consumer Liaison Office is aiming to get for me.

I just don’t want people to feel as though they’re trapped when in hospital and it’s how that Dr made me feel. I understand that they need to look after the welfare of their patients but I had been medically cleared by my main Dr team.

I hope in the future, voices and the feelings of patients are taken into account when making decisions.

Thank you

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