This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"Mental health care in ED"

About: Perth Children's Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

My child was severely depressed and suicidal. We called camhs triage and they said to take them to hospital. After trying to manage our child at home we did. At the time they had a one-parent-in policy and my spouse was parking the car with my other child so they were locked out. My child is autistic and I brought a folder of information and asked for my spouse to be on the phone. The nurse refused to look at the folder or allow my spouse to be on the phone.

They talked to my child without me. We were there 5 hours waiting for a psychiatrist apparently. I was then taken to a room with a social worker who told me my child said their other parent hits them ( as an autistic my child doesn’t understand the difference between light touch and hard touch and they were talked to without out me and doesn’t have great verbal skills ). I was told my spouse wouldn’t be allowed near either children for 30 days, that Child Protection and police had been called. We were sent home without any help for my still suicidal child and in a worse situation than we went in.

My spouse, who I feel is the gentlest person ever was obviously cleared but after both our children were interviewed in their school by CPS and letters were written by our treating team. It was the worst experience of our lives and really destroyed our family. We still didn’t get help for our child. Will never go there again. 

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Sylvia Lennon, Executive Director, CAMHS, Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA 8 months ago
Sylvia Lennon
Executive Director, CAMHS,
Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA
Submitted on 6/09/2023 at 12:49 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:49 PM


Dear Perth-parent,

Thank you for sharing your story on Care Opinion regarding your experience at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) Emergency Department (ED).

I am very sorry to read your story about the challenges you experienced trying to obtain the care and support your child needed. This must have been a very distressing situation for your child and family, especially as you needed reassurance about your child’s safety.

I would very much like the opportunity to speak to you further about the issues you have raised so I can listen to your story in more detail. I can then provide you with more information about your child’s case, including the reason that staff spoke with your child without you and assess how we could have better supported your child and family. It would be appreciated if you could contact the CAMHS Executive Office on 08 6389 5800, or alternatively, please contact our Consumer Engagement Service at CAHSfeedback@health.wa.gov.au

From the information you shared, I understand that your child is autistic and I am sorry that the nurse did not take the time to review the information you provided about your child’s needs. The Emergency Department can be an overwhelming place for children and young people, and especially for young people with autism. I would like to assure you that the staff in the Emergency Department have been working with families to minimise distress for patients. Recently, a Neurodiversity Care Plan has been developed and is now offered to all parents of neurodiverse patients attending the ED. The care plan includes a questionnaire with questions around how the child communicates, what they like and dislike, how to examine the child, what helps when they are dysregulated and what strategies have been effective for procedures.

Should you need urgent mental health support for your child in future, I encourage you to contact CAMHS Crisis Connect on 1800 048 636. This is a free service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides phone and online videocall support for children and young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. CAMHS Crisis Connect also provides advice and support to families, carers, and professionals in the community.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for bringing your concerns to my attention. I do hope that we hear from you and that your child’s mental health has improved since you shared your story.

Kind regards,

Sylvia Lennon

Executive Director

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k