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Lack of mental health care

Posted By chassiscz83

"Lack of mental health care"

About: Armadale Hospital / Emergency Department Armadale Mental Health Services

(as a friend),

I am very angry with the mental health care at Armadale Hospital. My friend was referred to ED by their Psychologist due to suicidal thoughts. First, we had to wait over 3 hours to be seen by the mental health team - disgusting in my opinion. Then when they finally meet with my friend, they tell them how horrible it is and that my friend should just go home! They are suicidal! What do you think would happen if they went home?

Absolutely disgusted with the care and what I felt was an overall blasé attitude by the mental health professionals. Based on our experience, would not recommend this service to anyone because it seems to have done more damage than anything!

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Responses

Response from Diane Barr, Executive Director, Armadale Kalamunda Group 2 years ago
Diane Barr
Executive Director,
Armadale Kalamunda Group

Submitted on 25/05/2021 at 12:43 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:44 PM

picture of Diane Barr

Dear chassiscz83,

Thank you for sharing details of your recent experience with the Emergency Department (ED) whilst your friend was seeking mental health support and assistance.

Firstly, I wish to acknowledge the vulnerability and anguish your friend must have been feeling when they presented to ED for assistance on this occasion. I wish to express my sincere apologies that your friend did not feel supported and cared for during their time in emergency.

Whilst it is recognised that the environment of an ED can present significant challenges in providing optimal care for patients who present with mental illness; I can assure you that our ED staff are committed to prioritising timely access for all vulnerable patients.

I hope that it will provide you with some level of reassurance that AKG is currently redesigning the ED with one of the main principles of the reconfiguration to improve the environment of the patient’s experience. Additionally, we are also in the process of exploring workforce models which would ensure that vulnerable patients have timely access to care by a Mental Health professional.

All our patients deserve to receive compassionate, person-centred care and it was extremely disappointing to hear that your experience did not reflect this. I can assure you that your feedback will be shared with the staff in the Emergency Department as a reminder of the significant impact interpersonal skills can have on patients and their families.

We would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss your experience in further detail with you and allow us the chance to thoroughly investigate your concerns. If you are open to this discussion or perhaps meeting in person with our Mental Health Service Director. Please contact the AKG Consumer Engagement Office on (08) 9391 1153 or via email AKG_consumerliaison@health.wa.gov.au to arrange a time and date convenient for you.

Your feedback is valuable, and I would, again, like to thank you for sharing your story.

Kind regards

Di Barr

Executive Director

Armadale Kalamunda Group

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