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Mental health, addiction and short term care in the ED depar...

Posted By Fedup70

"Mental health, addiction and short term care in the ED department"

About: Bunbury Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a relative),

My estranged partner had a breakdown due to long term mental health issues and substance misuse.

My ex-partner was actively suicidal and the police arrested them and took them to Bunbury Regional ED department.

I was relieved to think my ex-partner would get assistance immediately. Imagine my distress when all they did was keep them in short stay at the ED department due to adult psychiatric unit supposedly being full.

This person had just bought the necessary items to commit suicide! 

They were then released after less than 24 hours and went home to an empty house.

I can’t express my disappointment enough!

Please investigate this as I feel they could have let a suicidal person go home alone to act on their thoughts.

Thanks. 

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Responses

Response from Gillian Hetherington, A/Regional Manager, South West Mental Health, WA Country Health Services - South West nearly 2 years ago
Gillian Hetherington
A/Regional Manager, South West Mental Health,
WA Country Health Services - South West

Submitted on 7/07/2022 at 4:30 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:56 PM

Dear Fedup70

Thank you for reaching out to us about your ex-partner’s recent experience in the Bunbury Emergency Department (ED).

I am very sorry to hear that your ex-partner has had a breakdown and that you are concerned with the level of care received. This is obviously a very difficult and distressing time for you and your ex-partner, and I want to ensure that they are receiving the help and support they need. With your ex-partner’s consent, I would like to investigate what happened and see if there are any other supports or services that we can offer them. Both you and your ex-partner, either together or individually, are most welcome to contact me directly. My name is Gillian and I am the Acting Regional Manager of Mental Health in the South West and my phone number is 08 9781 2312.

While it is true that our hospitals are under pressure at the moment, I would like to reassure you that we always provide mental health assessments and treatment when required in our ED or Short Stay Unit. If our mental health team assess that a person is at risk of harm to themselves or others, we will not discharge them or let them leave, regardless of any pressures we may be experiencing at the time.

It is great that you are advocating and looking out for your ex-partner. I do hope that you have support as well, as it can be really hard when you are worried and supporting a loved one. There are a number of services that you and your ex-partner may find helpful. These are: RuralLink 1800 552 002; Lifeline 13 11 14 and Carers WA 1300 227 377.

Again, I do hope that you and your ex-partner are happy to contact me. I hope to hear from you soon.

Warm Regards

Gillian

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Update posted by Fedup70 (a relative)

Thankyou for responding. As of the time of writing this, my ex partner has had no further phone calls to follow up apart from once a week in the first few weeks. I have tried calling the number you provided to speak to you but nobody answering. What else can we do to get proper help?

Response from Gillian Hetherington, A/Regional Manager, South West Mental Health, WA Country Health Services - South West nearly 2 years ago
Gillian Hetherington
A/Regional Manager, South West Mental Health,
WA Country Health Services - South West

Submitted on 15/07/2022 at 3:12 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:15 PM

Dear Fedup70,

I am so sorry that I missed your call. I am sometimes away from my desk. As I have no number to contact you on, can I ask you to please call our Customer liaison Officer on 9722 1521 and provide them with your contact details. They will always be able to get a message to me, and I will then be able to give you a call back.

Warm Regards,

Gillian.

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