Text size

Theme

Language

"Paediatric Neurodevelopmental Assessment"

About: Community Mental Health Services / CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services) Falkirk Forth Valley Royal Hospital / Paediatrics

(as a parent/guardian),

My son is currently on the waitlist for a neurodevelopmental assessment and has been for some time. I have been repeatedly told that he does not require a diagnosis to access support and to speak to his school. His school have been wonderful in providing support but my son's life does not exist solely at school. To date zero support has been offered other than that from the school.

He has recently had assessments from occupational therapy surrounding his motor skills and literacy assessments at schools to identify any further support needs. Both processes have been hindered by other barriers that gave rise to his referral for a neurodevelopmental assessment in the first place. So not only is the prolonged wait impacting his everyday life, it is also impacting our ability to fully assess other support needs he may have, many of which are comorbidities for neurodivergent children.

It is completely unacceptable that families are left with no support with no end in sight. 

I have emailed the paediatric neurodevelopmental team directly, but much like my previous emails, there has been no response. 

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

Responses

Response from Karen Macfarlane, Department Manager/Senior Nurse, Women,Children & Sexual Health, NHS Forth Valley 14 months ago
Karen Macfarlane
Department Manager/Senior Nurse, Women,Children & Sexual Health,
NHS Forth Valley
Submitted on 28/02/2024 at 13:08
Published on Care Opinion at 13:08


Dear novemberrm47

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us, I can imagine this is very frustrating for you and your son.

As this is an anonymous platform, I am unable to look into this further for you and link with my colleagues in the Paediatric Neurodevelopmental Service.

If you wish me to do so, please email me on the address below with your son's name and date of birth and we can hopefully help find a way to support your son.

Many thanks

Karen Macfarlane

Department Manager Paediatrics & Neonates, NHS Forth Valley.

karen.macfarlane@nhs.scot

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by novemberrm47 (a parent/guardian)

Thank you for the response. As discussed via email I have spoken to one of your colleagues in the Paediatric neurodevelopmental service today.

While they were apologetic, nothing has been achieved from the call. There has been no support offered and no idea of how much longer we are being expected to wait. I have already been through the entire complaints process, the SPSO and have had this raised on two occasions by my local MP. All I ever get is how sorry everyone is for the wait, never any solutions offered. It is not good enough.

My son continues to be failed by NHS Forth Valley.

Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k