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Care Opinion

Travel distance to access service

Posted By sambawz88

"Travel distance to access service"

About: Armadale CAMHS

(as a parent/guardian),

My child has weekly appointments with their psychologist at ACAMHS which should be held at our local Armadale Hospital (5 min from school), but because the COVID-19 clinic took over their building, we now have to travel to Perth Children's Hospital which is an hour there and an hour back in traffic. Not only is this cutting into my child's classes at school but it is hard to get back in time to pick up my other kids from school, costs more in fuel and also parking. My child is already struggling with school and I believe missing classes is not going to help them much. 

It would be nice if the appointments were moved back to Armadale ASAP please. Thank you. 

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Responses

Response from Aresh Anwar, Chief Executive, Child and Adolescent Health Service 3 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Aresh Anwar
Chief Executive,
Child and Adolescent Health Service

Submitted on 19/06/2020 at 4:19 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 22/06/2020 at 9:31 AM

picture of Aresh Anwar

Dear sambawz88,

I am so sorry to hear about the difficulties you and your family are facing in accessing CAMHS since our Armadale team was displaced from their building at Armadale Hospital. I understand it is challenging enough for busy families without the added pressure of long travel to appointments. I totally agree that the team needs to get back into Armadale as soon as possible.

If you are comfortable contacting me via phone or email, perhaps we can have a conversation about options for appointments. Please contact me at camhs.correspondence@health.wa.gov.au or via phone 6389 5800. Telehealth (via video call) is an option that can be useful if travel is a barrier but I acknowledge this option is not for everyone.

Currently, the Armadale CAMHS staff are doing outreach into the Armadale community by visiting schools. Families can elect to have their appointments via telehealth (either phone or video call) if they are comfortable doing so, though this is a personal choice. Face-to-face appointments are important for many young people and I look forward to having some good news about a new home for our Armadale team very soon.

I note that you have identified the ‘caring staff’ of Armadale CAMHS as a positive of the service and am grateful for that feedback. The Armadale team will be happy to receive this at this challenging time as they too are very keen to continue their work in the Armadale area.

I thank you for advocating for your child and other children and young people in the area who rely on CAMHS services and look forward to assisting you further.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Aresh Anwar

Chief Executive

Child and Adolescent Health Service

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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 20/04/2021 at 5:26 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 21/04/2021 at 8:59 AM

picture of Katie McKenzie

Dear sambawz88,

Thank you for your patience in waiting to hear about a new location for the Armadale Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) team.

I am happy to confirm that a suitable property on Fourth Road in Armadale has now been located and it is anticipated that Armadale CAMHS will move into the new facility in mid-May 2021. This is to allow for the facility to be fitted out and fit for purpose. The facility is centrally located and is opposite the Armadale Shopping Centre, 100 metres from a bus stop and next door to Headspace Armadale.

I would like to take the time to thank you again for providing your feedback on our service as it allows us to continually strive for improvement for our families.

Please accept my best wishes for your child and your family.

Kind regards,

Katie McKenzie

Executive Lead - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

Child and Adolescent Health Service

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