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Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

once again my partner has had a relapse, he has lived with schizo effective disorder for the past 27 years. As soon as I recognised the early signs (although in hindsight I now realise I missed many) but nevertheless this particular incident occurred one month ago today and I called upon our community of mental health team immediately. On this particular Monday morning another worker from yet another agency came and visited upon my request as well, he was quicker then the MH team and upon conversing with my partner he knew just how unwell he was and knowing his past history he was also well aware as to how very quickly he deteriorates. He left shortly after assuring me he would inform the MH team of the seriousness of this and that he would ensure one of the team was a nurse who could assess and take my partner to hospital. Well the team came and chatted and basically told me that if they took him into hospital he would be sent straight home again!!!!!!!! Never mind the fact that he was delusional and believed I had poisoned his food and he was very paranoid, all part of his usual pattern going by prior admissions. Instead they got another agency involved called ICP who were to check on us later that evening. Well I called ICP and asked that they come sooner rather then later as he was deteriorating before my eyes and although I would normally call an ambulance I didn't see the point as I had been told by the MH professionals that he would be sent home. So ICP turn up, talk to my partner and as they were leaving they told me that he just wanted to go to the pub and have some space. I tried to tell them that he NEVER goes to the pub , only when he is unwell and that we should call an ambulance. One of the workers response was ' well what are you going to tell the ambos???' I replied that I would tell them he was a risk to himself and his dog as if they knew his past history they would see he had a habit of taking off , whether it be by car or foot, and disappearing which always leads to statewide police searches. They told me they hadn't had time to read his case notes and he had told them he just wanted to go to the pub and have space. So they left and shortly after do did my partner with his dog. As predicted he did then in fact go missing for 27 hours which resulted in him being listed as a missing person and a statewide search began. 27 excruciating hours later filled with anxiety, worry and fear his rolled over vehicle was found with him clearly delusional and unwell but not injured, nor was our dog thankfully but I have since had to have him put down as he was riddled with cancer. Just another thing I have to face when my partner is finally well enough to leave the locked ward he is currently in. His car is a write off, we have lost an elderly family member and his dog ( his companion of 11 years) is no longer with us. And despite my numerous phone calls etc requesting at least an apology from the people involved in the lead up to this , one month later I have heard absolutely nothing. It seems no one is willing to take accountability for this bear tragedy, and to top it off, he was issued with a fine for driving a vehicle eith undue care, a vehicle the ICP team were aware he was getting into but clearly felt he was sane enough to do do despite my appeals to the contrary. I am absolutely at the very end of my tether. My work has been affected and I have now had to take leave and my daughter is trying to get through her last few weeks of year 12. I feel so despondent and let down by the system!

52 replies

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In response to: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

@Attahua

Is the pdoc the clinical director? If not they may not be the appropriate person to complain to. Might be worth checking that out.

This group might be of help.

https://helpingminds.org.au/carer-rights/

These are my tips

1) know what outcome you want from the meeting *this is important*

Do you want training , reprimands, compensation???
Example: Training be given to crisis team on carer communication

2) know where you are prepared to cut them slack but don't play all your cards at once.

3) Look at carer act/mental health act etc. and where it was breached.

4) remind them that patients with carer support have better outcomes, less hospitalisations etc and that you have called only when there is a genuine crisis ie you do not cry wolf

5) point out that when you reminded team of history it was ignored

Hope this helps
Darcy

In response to: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Hi @Attahua

So good to read that you saw your local MP and he has agreed to be present at this important meeting.

If it were me I would be voicing in this meeting exactly the details of "all the circumstances that lead up to this near tradegy - including at the time the resulting inaction and breaches of duty of care by the mental health team and all you called on for emergency assistance for your husband when experiencing his latest episode". The latter is most important to reaffirm in front of your witness (MP) of exactly what happened. You can if you wish write the whole scenario of what happened in point form to read from at the meeting explaining the facts of your complaint in its entirety - and then sign it offering copies addressed to them and your local MP.

Then I would ask the mental health team "what mental health emergency procedure/plan/assistance they can offer you and your husband guaranteeing that "this negligence and lack of appropriate mental health care for your husband - that resulted in a police search and a road accident, "never happens again". If you are not satisfied with the response of the mental health team to your above question/s at the meeting, then ask your MP there and then in front of them "what he will do to address the deficiencies in the mental health care system raised at this meeting that failed your husband and yourself putting you both and others at risk".

Then at the end of the meeting put in writing all that was stated and the outcome of the meeting whilst fresh in your mind for future reference and support if you should need to follow up. Let us know how you get on. Wishing the very best outcome for you and your husband.

In response to: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

@Former-Member
Am going to pinch some of your wording for a complaint I have in at present. Thank you.

In response to: Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Your most welcome @Former-Member. So glad to have been of some help. Hoping with all I have that you will get some satisfactory results xx

In response to: Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Thank you so so much!! This is very helpful

In response to: Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

I am overwhelmed by the support and advice here, so do grateful!!! Thank you Enigma and I will let you know how I get on!!

In response to: Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Thank you so so much!! This is very helpful , I agree @Attahua, @Former-Member, @Former-Member

In response to: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

When is appointment @Attahua

In response to: Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

The appointment was supposed to be about three weeks away but I have now been told the pyschiatrist is on leave and I was also given the impression he does not want to meet as I said we could wait until he returns. As soon as I said I was bringing a support person though, never mentioned that it was our MP , the manager of the MH team said she would organise for her boss to attend our 'chat' ( that's what she keeps calling it and every time I emphasise that I look forward to the 'meeting'). I have since said that the MP will be attending but of course he sits in parliament the date they gave me and the manager goes on leave shortly after so we are back to square one on simply trying to organise a date!!!

In response to: Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

Re: Let down by the system once again resulting in a near tragedy

@Former-MemberThe appointment was supposed to be about three weeks away but I have now been told the pyschiatrist is on leave and I was also given the impression he does not want to meet as I said we could wait until he returns. As soon as I said I was bringing a support person though, never mentioned that it was our MP , the manager of the MH team said she would organise for her boss to attend our 'chat' ( that's what she keeps calling it and every time I emphasise that I look forward to the 'meeting'). I have since said that the MP will be attending but of course he sits in parliament the date they gave me and the manager goes on leave shortly after so we are back to square one on simply trying to organise a date!!!

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