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"Over sedation and lack of care and communication"

About: Box Hill Hospital / Upton House

(as a carer),

My partner was admitted to Upton House under an assessment order and was then put on a treatment order.

As I understand it, my partner was sedated with 3 different medications- all within 24 hours- with the excuse that they're being aggressive, in which one of the medications, I believe, you're not supposed to use it with the other sedative medication and also you're not supposed to resort to that medication unless my partner wasn't responsive towards normal antipsychotics. Which, in my opinion, they didn't even bother trying. I feel they were just prioritising over sedation because they can't handle my partner.

I remember that when I called to ask and question why, the registrar just hung up on me and said I was yelling at them when I recall I did not even use any abusive language at all and I was just asking them ok, you're telling me to put in a complain but my partner is still subjected to your treatment order and your care which is my main concern at the moment.

And when I called the Koonung mental health team, I found the staff member was unhelpful as well, they said that maybe I should look at how I speak. Considering I'm someone who's concern about my partner's care and was worried about them, I think I have the right to bring it up. But apparently I'm just being difficult. Shouldn't doctors and anyone who works in the mental health team at least be able to empathise with patients and their loved ones?

When asked about the psychiatrist's name in charge of my partner, they were only able to give me the psychiatrist's initial or first name. Seemingly no one is aware of their last name. 

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Responses

Response from David Plunkett, Chief Executive, Eastern Health 2 years ago
David Plunkett
Chief Executive,
Eastern Health
Submitted on 30/11/2021 at 3:43 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:44 PM


picture of David Plunkett

Dear wingofvoices,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with your partner being cared for by the Eastern Health Mental Health team.

I would like to apologise this has not been positive for you, both in talking with the inpatient and community based teams and I’m sorry you didn’t believe your concerns were acknowledged.

I appreciate these are very testing times for patients and their families. Just as they can be for staff. I’m sure you would agree that mutual respect is so important and I’m sorry, if because the staff interpreted your conversations as you being aggressive, that you were not able to receive the information and reassurance you were looking for.

I will provide your feedback to the leaders of the Mental Health program so they are firstly aware, and may be able to support the team to connect with your partner and yourself to overcome the information gap you’re experiencing.

This is a de-identified post, so if you would like to follow this up by making contact with the Eastern Health Centre for Patient Experience either by calling 1300 EASTERN or emailing feedback@easternhealth.org.au. Please note if you call, the Patient Relations Advisors may be on another call, so leave a message and they will make contact with you.

Thank you again and I wish you and importantly your partner the best of health.

Kind regards,

David

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