Hallucinating boy, 15, held down, kept alone in room at Women’s and Children’s Hospital mental health unit

A distressed teen was held face down and isolated at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in breach of rules, an alarming report has revealed, with his family in despair.

A distressed, hallucinating teenage boy was kept alone in a “seclusion” room for long periods and held facedown by staff who breached rules at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, a review has found.

Riverland teenager Chad has repeatedly tried to end his life and his parents are living in fear he will die before he receives treatment that works.

The 15-year-old’s exhausted mother Nicole says her troubled son’s behaviour is escalating and he recently lashed out at a shopping centre during a hallucination.

“The doctors say it’s hormonal, it’s his disability … there’s nothing else we can do for him,” she said.

“In the meantime what do we do? Are you telling me that we just have to sit around waiting for him to die?”

In the latest incident, Chad’s family, who did not want their surnames published, say he returned from the WCH mental health unit, Mallee Ward, with a black eye and a split lip after being restrained and put in a room alone last week.

Health authorities initiated two independent inquiries into Chad’s treatment earlier this year, following reporting of his case by The Advertiser.

Riverland teenager Chad, pictured in 2022, has repeatedly been admitted to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital youth mental health ward.

The inquiries, released to the family and seen by The Advertiser, make a raft of recommendations including:

RETRAINING hospital staff and security guards in restraining patients and keeping records;

DEVELOPING new policies for the restraint and seclusion of young people with developmental disabilities;

ORDERING a new psychological assessment and more Aboriginal cultural support for Chad; and,

ALLOCATING a dedicated advocate to help the family make the most of National Disability Insurance Scheme support.

Authorities have accepted the recommendations and say a new care plan for Chad has been developed, involving hospital, ambulance, police, disability and Aboriginal youth services.

It follows an investigation by Health and Community Complaints Commissioner Grant Davies into an incident in August 2021 when Chad was admitted to the WCH Mallee Ward and got into a fight with another patient.

Associate Professor Davies found Chad was placed alone in a seclusion room three times during a 48-hour stay, lasting a total of five hours and 15 minutes.

“Each of the seclusion periods … were well in excess of the 30 minutes set out by the Chief Psychiatrist’s Restraint and Seclusion Standard,” his report says.

He also found Chad was “held by a WCH network staff member in prone restraint”, face down, which was “contrary” to policy.

In at least one case Chad was restrained “without adequate basis” despite the law stating it should be used as a last resort.

WCH staff recorded injuries to themselves after restraining Chad but made no records of any injuries to the boy.

Chad’s family say he returned from that hospital stay covered in bruises and claiming he had been kicked in the groin by a security guard.

Associate Professor Davies agreed “the bruising sustained by (Chad) is likely to be linked” to being held down and secluded.

The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, which has been co-ordinating Chad’s care, says it has “accepted all recommendations” in Associate Professor Davies’ review, and another review done by independent child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Marshall Watson, “with some already implemented and others in progress”.

“On some occasions restraint is necessary to ensure the safety of a young person and clinicians,” CAMHS said in a statement.

“CAMHS is committed to ensuring that policies on restraint and seclusion are adhered to by all staff and that all staff are aware of their obligations under this policy.”

Chad, with stepfather Stjepan (left) and disability carers Lucky and Male (right), at home in the Riverland. Picture Emma Brasier.

Chad’s stepfather Stjepan said the family wanted Chad admitted to a health facility where his medications – currently antipsychotics and antidepressants – could be adjusted and monitored until he improved, rather than being left to manage this at home.

“Maybe other children end up in an institution but we’re not prepared to give up on Chad,” he said.

Chad, who requires around-the-clock care from three NDIS-funded carers, began hallucinating at the age of seven and “sees and hears things that aren’t there” daily.

He runs into traffic, self-harms, lashes out at family, damages property and has threatened to kill others.

His family have to call for help, including ambulance officers, up to four times a week but say Chad is regularly turned away from hospital without being assessed, or is sent home with a sedative.

Lifeline: 13 11 14.

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800.