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Care Opinion

Mirrors in the bathrooms

Posted By Butterfly

"Mirrors in the bathrooms"

About: Perth Children's Hospital / Ward 4A - Adolescents

(as a parent/guardian),

My adolescent has been an inpatient on 4A multiple times, and also in another hospital. On my child's first admission to 4A, I was so shocked and confused as to the size and location of the mirror directly opposite the shower.

I feel that anyone with any clue about eating disorders would know how extremely inappropriate this is. In my opinion, any other child or adolescent that uses the bathroom does not need a mirror of that size, especially not opposite the shower. When showering (naked naturally), I believe the patient is able to stare and glare and focus on every part of their body.

I feel if you ask any professional if this is a wise or good decision I think we know what the answer would be. I cannot understand how or why the decision was made. At least if the mirror was on the outside of the bathroom, I believe the patients wouldn't be forced to see themselves naked every time they bathe.

I have suggested many ideas to combat this appalling decision - large removable decal stickers with cute and funny pics could be placed over the most part of the mirror, leaving a small space to see your face and neck only.

In my opinion, there is no rationale at all that explains the need to keep the mirrors as they are. I believe if the hospital cares about us and our children then this is an easy and cheap change to make that will make a big difference to the experience of our kids with eating disorders.

If it is about money, I will fundraise to make it happen.

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Responses

Response from Sue Baker, Nursing Co-Director (Medical), Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA 4 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Sue Baker
Nursing Co-Director (Medical),
Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA

Submitted on 19/02/2020 at 5:21 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 5:52 PM

Dear Butterfly

I was very sorry to hear about your concerns in relation to the Bathroom Mirror in the Ward 4A bathroom at Perth Children’s Hospital.

I understand how confronting mirrors can be for patients with eating disorders and body dysmorphia and very much appreciate your feedback.

I am happy to advise that we are currently organising for decorative decals to be placed around the mirror to reduce the size of the reflective screen and this should occur at beginning of March 2020.

Once again, we appreciate your feedback as it is essential for us to assist in improving our service.

Kind regards,

Sue Peter

Nursing Co-Director, Medical

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Update posted by Butterfly (a parent/guardian)

Hooray Sue!!!!

Thank you for listening. I am so grateful that I have been heard. So many of us parents now feel hopeful that we have a voice.

Can I ask that you pretty please involve Kara, the ED nurses on the ward, the Psychologists and Drs and Desley from the EDC with your decisions about the stickers and how much of the mirror to leave?

Let this be a decision that is made also with the parents of these patients - as we know our kids best and I feel we are able to think of others, not just our own.

Let this be a moment to involve the whole team and make a really positive step in the way we are heard and the way we are treated and valued.

I look forward to hearing how it goes from the parents and staff.

Well done and thank you again.

Response from Sue Baker, Nursing Co-Director (Medical), Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA 4 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Sue Baker
Nursing Co-Director (Medical),
Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA

Submitted on 3/03/2020 at 3:47 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:48 PM

Dear butterfly

I was very sorry to hear your experiences in relation to the bathroom mirrors in the Ward 4A bathrooms at Perth Children’s Hospital.

I understand how confronting mirrors can be for patients with eating disorders and body dysmorphia and very much appreciate your feedback.

Following previous feedback received through Patient Opinion, we had arranged for a border decal to be fitted onto the mirrors to reduce the size of the reflective screen. Before applying the decal we have consulted with a number of families and staff and due to further feedback, we have reviewed the decal size again and have updated the design and artwork to include a much larger design which will be 300mm x 300mm around the whole mirror – all the effect of this can be seen on the attached design drawing. We believe that this solution will provide the best outcome to give greater coverage.

We have anticipated that the decals will be fitted early March 2020.

Once again, we appreciate your feedback as it is essential for us to assist in improving our service

Kind regards,

Sue Peter

Nursing Co-Director (Medical) - CAHSImage title

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Update posted by Butterfly (a parent/guardian)

This is so brilliant. I am so happy. I think this idea is fabulous. Thank you for listening and taking this seriously.

It will make a big difference.

Yay:)

Response from Katie McKenzie, Executive Lead Mental Health, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service 4 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 5/05/2020 at 6:58 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 6/05/2020 at 8:29 AM

picture of Katie McKenzie

Dear Butterfly,

I can confirm that the decals are in place around all the mirrors in the bathrooms in our Eating Disorder POD beds. This has greatly reduced the size of the mirror that the patients have to see themselves, as well as providing a decorative feature to the bathroom.

This was completed at the end of March 2020.

If you need any further information, please feel free to contact us.

Kind regards,

Katie McKenzie

Executive Director of Nursing

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