"Childhood and Adolescence Mental Health Services"

My 11 year old son was transferred to Argyll and Bute CAHMS (Childhood and Adolescence Mental Health Services) as we moved from Glasgow. Initially we were kept on by our sons psychiatrist until they felt care and assessments outstanding were completed .

We moved back to Argyll and Bute just before first lockdown and we’re transferred to CAHMS approximately the following July. Whilst we understand the CAHMS system works differently in Argyll and Bute, his referral from his psychiatrist was immediately sent to the ADHD nurse within Argyll and Bute. When I telephoned to question this I was advised by a CAHMS nurse that ADHD is not a mental health issue. With the greatest of respect had my sons notes been read appropriately they would of seen he is autistic with strong traits of pathological demand avoidance, and in the past he has tried different self harming and suicidal behaviours.

Initially our son  settled very well at school within Argyll and Bute until he had issues with being assaulted at school. Since then (March 2021) he has not attended school despite our best efforts, has pulled all his eye lashes out, regularly states he wants to die and has been admitted to sick kids in Glasgow 7 times with cyclic vomiting due to his anxiety around school .

We were contacted by the mental health nurse who stipulated that our sons next step within CAHMS was to be reviewed by the occupational health nurse who was also mental health trained. It’s important to point out in transition to Argyll and Bute our son was fairly stable. Since March 2021 he has been very unstable.

I was contacted by an occupational health nurse in December 2021 as by this time my son had had several admissions to sick kids. Once I explained the situation they stated that they felt my son was internalising all that had happened and indeed needed help. I then received a letter in Jan 2022 to say they were leaving the post and had put our son on a waiting list for when the position was filled. They also stipulated in their opinion he needed medical psychiatry input.

We are now in July 2022 my son has had 4 further admissions to sick kids. CAHMS have had letters sent to them by a consultant in sick kids Glasgow  contact from a CAHMS nurse from sick kids, a letter from his GP and a discussion with an adult mental health nurse who is helping myself with my own mental health as I lost my mother in very tragic circumstances in March 2022.

We haven’t even received a letter, phone call or email to even follow up on the well being of our son. I have however received a phone call from the community nurses in regards to carrying out some blood tests for genetic testing. I’m afraid that’s not top of my priority list at present. His physical health and mental health are far more important to us as parents. It saddens me to actually have to write this story as I’ve actually worked in the NHS for several years . 

I have a child in clear crisis and need and it seems the standard within CAHMS Argyll and Bute is to just ignore our child. Whilst I appreciate there is no one in post, this still isn’t care. We have been told a child psychiatrist has been appointed within Argyll and Bute yet we have still not had any contact despite the decline in my sons physical and mental health  If our son required a hip replacement or a heart valve he would be referred to an area that could give him the urgent care he needed. Why is it different when it’s his mental health having an huge impact on his physical well being. 

Will it take a tragedy or 20 more admissions for our son to get the help he needs. 

He still awaits speech and language therapy a referral made last year also which was suggested by his previous psychiatrist when people wanted to know more about our sons views again no one in post . Is this care really? We would like some answers and if Argyll and Bute cannot provide what has been stipulated as a need for our son from professionals involved then we would appreciate a referral asap to a region that can help.

Early intervention is paramount with children who are vulnerable and I’m disgusted by the lack of care and compassion we have received to date.