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Care Opinion

Mental health awareness

Posted By geminizj34

"Mental health awareness"

About: Armadale Hospital / Same Day Unit

(as the patient),

Being on the receiving end of health care this year had greatly opened my eyes. As a health care professional being extremely vulnerable to those providing health care has certainly been a challenging situation.

In hindsight my mental and physical health had been declining for some time prior to my acute mental health deterioration and suicide attempt. I am extremely fortunate to have a supportive family both immediate and extended, along with a mental health team.

Unfortunately I have received questionable care from the staff on the same day unit at Armadale Hospital. The care provided by the mental health team including the inpatient setting and CRHTT ( Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team ) has been life saving however a requirement of my treatment has been attending the same day unit 3 days a week for ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy). I found some staff including the senior staff such as clinical nurses were extremely rude, dismissive and appeared unaware of the nature of my mental health presentation. I also observed other staff such as the nurse who completed my admission work for my ECT to have seemingly poor bedside manner including not even introducing themselves to me- which I believe is a pivotal nursing standard. If the same day unit is going to provide care for those receiving ECT, then I feel they require updated training in mental health and response to improve patient care. 

We are extremely fortunate to have this provision of health care within our community however basic bedside manner and mental health awareness must occur. 

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Responses

Response from Neil Cowan, Executive Director, Armadale Kalamunda Group, EMHS about a year and a half ago
Neil Cowan
Executive Director, Armadale Kalamunda Group,
EMHS

Submitted on 8/06/2023 at 4:35 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 9/06/2023 at 8:53 AM

picture of Neil Cowan

Dear geminizj34,

Thank you for providing your valuable feedback relating to your recent admission to the Same Day Unit (SDU) at Armadale Kalamunda Group (AKG) as well as sharing the positive experiences with both our inpatient and community Mental Health teams.

I can empathise that presenting for Mental Health treatment and support can be an incredibly overwhelming experience and it was truly reassuring to read that our Mental Health staff involved in your care to date have provided supportive and compassionate care during these interactions.

I would like to assure you that we have reflected on your feedback and our service to patients accessing Mental Health treatment out of the inpatient setting, such as on the Same Day Unit. At AKG we expect all of our staff to be courteous and kind to patients and their families during their stay regardless of the type of treatment they are accessing, and I would like to offer my unreserved apologies that this did not occur during your recent visit.

The SDU team has expressed their apologies and remorse that you were left feeling dismissed and that their delivery of care to you was not provided in the caring manner which we strive for as an organisation.

I would like the opportunity to discuss your feedback further and look into your individual experience, if this is something you would feel comfortable in doing I would encourage you to contact our Consumer Liaison Office to facilitate this on (08) 9391 1153 or via email AKG_ConsumerLiaison@health.wa.gov.au.

AKG is dedicated to providing the highest standard of service, particularly to those feeling most vulnerable and I apologise that your experience on this occasion did not reflect this.

Kind regards

Neil Cowan

Executive Director

Armadale Kalamunda Group

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