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Disparity of care within this organisation

Posted By capellajh66

"Disparity of care within this organisation"

About: camhs north lanarkshire

(as a parent/guardian),

My son was referred to CAMHS 18 months before through speech and language, and was diagnosed with Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Pathological Demand Avoidance. 

He was signed off from CAMHS even though he has issues with heightened levels of anxiety, his psychologist said they wouldn't treat it because it falls under part of autism. However, another psychologist in the same group disagreed and said they do give support for people with these symptoms. There is a clear level of disparity in care, not just between services but within the same organisation.

Despite going back to my son's GP, who wrote to CAMHS explaining he has additional needs, this psychologist maintained that they would not help my son. I believe this is because he is being seen by a senior psychologist, where a different team member would have provided care.

I know there are other people around here with the same conditions getting the treatment they need.

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Responses

Response from Jim Murray, Service Manager, Childrens Services, Wishaw Health Centre, NHS Lanarkshire 5 years ago
Jim Murray
Service Manager, Childrens Services, Wishaw Health Centre,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 28/11/2018 at 14:32
Published on Care Opinion at 19:44

picture of Jim Murray

Dear capellajh66,

I am sorry to hear that you are unhappy with the professional CAMHS advice that you have received in regards to your son's needs. It may be best if you could put your concerns to NHS Lanarkshire's Patient Affairs department. this will allow us to look at the decisions around your sons care and any advice given, so that we can give you a response which reflects your concerns with the clinicians perspective.

Regards

Jim Murray

Community, Mental Health & Learning Disability, Paediatric Services - Laura Jack, Patient Affairs Manager
Tel: 01698 858321
Email: PatientAffairs.Primarycare@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk
NHS Lanarkshire Headquarters, Kirklands, Fallside Road, Bothwell. G71 8BB

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Update posted by capellajh66 (a parent/guardian)

I only found out about the disparity between clinicians because one of my ex colleagues children has recently been diagnosed with the same condition as mine. Other child had appointment to psychiatry dept at Camhs within weeks to get medicated. I've received two letters stating my sons condition doesn't fall under the Camhs remit. Continuity should be steadfast. Clinicians should be following the same guidelines. Parents should be sure we are all receiving the same standards of care for our children. I am not impressed by a lead psychologist points struggling parents to websites for help.

Response from Jim Murray, Service Manager, Childrens Services, Wishaw Health Centre, NHS Lanarkshire 5 years ago
Jim Murray
Service Manager, Childrens Services, Wishaw Health Centre,
NHS Lanarkshire

Submitted on 30/11/2018 at 09:35
Published on Care Opinion at 09:58

picture of Jim Murray

Dear capellajh66,

I appreciate your sentiments and can only say that CAMHS do work to nationally agreed standards of care. The Scottish Government are carrying out a task force review of CAMHS as the service is under increasing demand nationally. It is likely that to try and intervene earlier that work in schools, counselling and parenting strategies will be used increasingly to prevent issues escalating and to relieve the demand for specialist services which are very small in number (800 staff nationally). The CAMHS service should respond to those most in need and strives to so. What may appear to be a similar issue in a different family may have additional factors which necessitate a different response. As I indicated in my earlier response it may be helpful to log your concern with our patient affairs department and we will ensure that your son's case will be looked at to assess the CAMHS response to your son's needs and whether it was and is appropriate.

Regards

Jim Murray

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