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Care Opinion

Bathroom issue on ward 4A

Posted By giraffesr57

"Bathroom issue on ward 4A"

About: Perth Children's Hospital / Ward 4A - Adolescents

(as a parent/guardian),

I feel the mirrors in the bathrooms in Ward 4A are too big and directly opposite the showers and as such I believe it is very confronting for patients with eating disorders or body dysmorphia. I raised this issue 16 months ago and I feel nothing has been done. I would like to request/suggest the mirrors be replaced with much smaller, eye height mirrors.

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Responses

Response from Matthew Skinner, A/Executive Director Safety & Quality, Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA 4 years ago
Matthew Skinner
A/Executive Director Safety & Quality,
Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA

Submitted on 6/02/2020 at 2:03 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:16 PM

Dear giraffesr57,

Thank you for sharing your concerns and ideas about the mirrors in the bathrooms in Ward 4A.

I appreciate that the mirrors may be confronting for patients with eating disorders or body dysmorphia. The bathrooms on Ward 4A are also used by patients who do not have eating disorders or body dysmorphia. A decision has been made to keep the mirrors, however, locks have been installed on 8 bathrooms so that staff can manage the amount of time patients can spend in them. Feedback suggests this is working well. We are also currently exploring ways to reduce the size of the mirror by using a film with a pattern around the edge.

Thank you for sharing your concerns and I hope this response gives you comfort that we are considering options to address your concerns.

Kind regards,

Dr Matthew Skinner

Acting Executive Director of Operations - CAHS

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Update posted by giraffesr57 (a parent/guardian)

Thank you for your reply, Doctor Skinner.

I would like to reiterate that something needs to be done as soon as possible. If this is the application of a film, it needs to be installed as soon as possible to reduce the size of the mirror.

I think most people would reasonably find such a large mirror opposite the shower, quite confronting, not just people with body dysmorphia. My understanding is the locks were installed on some of the bathrooms to prevent purging after meals and excessive exercising. The mirror size is still an issue even with locked bathrooms.

From talking to other parents and my child, I know the situation at present is causing distress to children in the ward and they are avoiding showering. Please treat this matter seriously.

Response from Sue Baker, Nursing Co-Director (Medical), Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA 4 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Sue Baker
Nursing Co-Director (Medical),
Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA

Submitted on 3/03/2020 at 12:51 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 2:46 PM

Dear giraffesr57

I was very sorry to hear your experiences in relation to the bathroom mirrors in the Ward 4A bathrooms at Perth Children’s Hospital.

I understand how confronting mirrors can be for patients with eating disorders and body dysmorphia and very much appreciate your feedback.

Following previous feedback received through Patient Opinion, we had arranged for a border decal to be fitted onto the mirrors to reduce the size of the reflective screen. Before applying the decal we have consulted with a number of families and staff and due to further feedback, we have reviewed the decal size again and have updated the design and artwork to include a much larger design which will be 300mm x 300mm around the whole mirror – all the effect of this can be seen on the attached design drawing. We believe that this solution will provide the best outcome to give greater coverage.

We have anticipated that the decals will be fitted early March 2020.

Once again, we appreciate your feedback as it is essential for us to assist in improving our service

Kind regards

Sue Peter

Nursing Co-Director (Medical) - CAHSImage title

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Response from Katie McKenzie, Executive Lead Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service 3 years ago
We have made a change
Katie McKenzie
Executive Lead Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service,
Child and Adolescent Health Service

Submitted on 5/05/2020 at 7:05 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 6/05/2020 at 8:30 AM

picture of Katie McKenzie

Dear giraffesr57,

I can confirm that the decals are in place around all the mirrors in the bathrooms in our Eating Disorder POD beds. This has greatly reduced the size of mirror that the patients have to see themselves, as well as providing a decorative feature to the bathroom.

This was completed at the end of March 2020.

If you need any further information, please feel free to contact us.

Kind regards,

Katie McKenzie

Executive Director of Nursing

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Update posted by giraffesr57 (a parent/guardian)

Thank you, I’m glad this has been done.

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