Welcome to Collingham CAMHS

Can I choose whether to be admitted to Collingham or not?

There are some things that you can decide about and some things that your family or carers can decide. This depends on how much you are able to understand about a decision. This is called ‘Gillick competence’. The admitting doctor will talk to you to decide whether you understand enough to make decisions about being admitted. Often young people coming to Collingham are not ready to make decisions about admission. In this case, families or carers make the decision to consent on your behalf. Even if your family or carer make the decision your views are very important to us and we will discuss things with you regularly.

What does consent to treatment mean?

There are some decisions about treatment that you can decide about and some that you cannot. Again, this depends on how old you are and what the decision is about. Sometimes young people have enough understanding to make these decisions. The staff will assess whether this is the case and let you know which bits of your treatment you can decide about. Your views and ideas are always important to us. If staff decide that you are not ready to make these decisions your families or carers will be asked to make the decision about treatment on your behalf. Whoever consents to your treatment can change their mind at any point and tell us that they no longer want the treatment to continue. Treatment cannot be restarted again unless consent is given again. Keep talking to your parents, families, carers and the staff at Collingham to let us know your thoughts about your treatment.

What can I do if I am unhappy about my treatment?

If you are unhappy about your treatment at Collingham (for example the medicines you are taking, individual sessions, family therapy meetings and other groups), you should talk to a member of staff and your families or carers. They will need to decide with you if you need to continue with medicines and sessions. If you change your mind about your treatment you should talk to a member of staff and your families or carers. They will need to decide with you if you need to continue with these treatments. We will see if an agreement can be reached about changes to your treatment and therapy. Sometimes, your family might feel your treatment is so important that they will decide for you, if you do not have the understanding to make these decisions yourself. Very rarely, the doctors and nurses might have to decide for you. This could mean using the Mental Health Act. We have another leaflet that will help explain this to you.

What if I need to talk to someone else?

At Collingham we have an advocate who comes to visit every second Friday at 10am. An advocate is someone who speaks up for people and helps them to speak for themselves. You can talk to them in private about anything that might be worrying you. Their job is to listen to you and speak to us on your behalf about your views, wishes and worries. They do not work for Collingham or social care. They are completely on your side. If you are unhappy about the way we work, you should speak to a member of staff as well as your families or carers. You could also call Childline from any phone by dialling 0800 11 11. The clinical nursing manager could meet with you to listen to your concerns and try to help. If after talking about it, you are still unhappy, you have the right to make a complaint to the CNWL Trust, the organisation we work for. The advocate, your family or carers, or your key nurse can help you do this. We can give you a detailed leaflet about how to do this.

What can I do if I would like another view on my problems?

Whoever is providing consent for your treatment can also ask for another doctor’s view of your difficulties. This is called ‘asking for a second opinion’. Your views and ideas are always important to us. If you would like to request a second opinion you should speak to your family, carers or a member of staff. Again, we have to decide if you understand enough to make a decision about this or whether it is something your family or carers should decide about.

What will my parents know about my treatment?

Staff will speak with your family or carers about how you are getting along and any worries you may tell us – we are all working together to help you. If there are things that you do not want us to tell your family or carers then we will talk to you about this and decide whether we must tell them or not. This will depend on things like how old you are and what you might want to keep private. Staff will have to decide whether you understand enough to decide this. Sometimes we must talk to your family or carers about things if there is something they need to know to keep you safe.

Who else will know about my treatment?

There are meetings on the unit where staff will talk with people you met (such as teachers, doctors, social workers, psychologists and nurses) before coming to Collingham. We tell them how you are getting along. Staff might talk to new people if they will be seeing you when you leave. This way they can continue to help you. We will tell you who we are talking to. If there are things you do not want us to tell other people we will talk to you about this and decide whether we must tell them or not. We will always listen to you. If you understand enough to make a decision we will uphold your wish for privacy, unless we are concerned for your safety in any way. We have a duty to keep you safe and would need to share any concerns we had about your safety in general. We do not think that keeping secrets is helpful. Your case records are kept safely electronically. Only professionals working with you will have access to these records.

Can I see my case records?

All children have a health record at Collingham that is kept safely. If you or your family or carers want to see your case record we can give you advice about how to ask for this to happen. Staff have to decide whether you understand enough to make this decision. Otherwise your family or carers can decide whether or not to see your record. The consultant psychiatrists would usually sit down with you and go through the case record and discuss any concerns.

When can I speak to and see my family or carers?

Your family or carers can call you every evening. If they have not called by 8pm you can ask to call them and speak to them privately. The nursing staff will help you with this. On a Wednesday most children get a visit from their families, parents or carers.

Where will I sleep?

Children have their own room when they first come to Collingham. We would like you to bring posters, photos, favourite duvet covers, and your favourite cuddly toys to Collingham so that your bedroom reminds you of home. There are members of the nursing team working all night long to look after you and help you if you feel worried about anything. They will check on you hourly during the night.

What clothing should I bring?

We do lots of activities and have a lot of fun during the day. Your pack contains a list of the type of clothes to bring. It is important that you do not bring your best clothes and that you wear shoes that you can play in.

What will happen on the day of admission?

On the day of admission, both your family or carers and yourself will meet with a doctor and nurse to discuss the admission. We will talk to your family or carers about you, from when you were born to now. The doctors will listen to your chest, feel your tummy and check on your physical health. They will talk with you about any worries you may have and the goal of the admission. You will be given a copy of the care plan which tells you what will happen during your stay. It will then be time to say goodbye to your parents or carers and get on with the day. It may feel strange and scary at first but you will quickly make friends and start to have fun.

What are the rules at Collingham?

The rules at Collingham are very important to us. They help make Collingham a safe and friendly place to be.

The three most important rules are:

1. Respecting others. This means understanding that people come in all shapes, sizes, skin colour, with different religious practices and languages. Whoever we are and whatever our views we are all important. We should learn from one another and respect differences. We do not tolerate any bullying.

2. No hitting, hurting yourself or others. When you feel cross or angry, find a safe place to calm down and speak to staff. Staff are always happy to help you when you can’t manage, it is important to try and listen when they are helping you.

3. No damaging property. We will expect you or your family to pay for any damage.

There are other rules about bedtimes which are different depending on your age. Sleep is very important for good health. There are also rules about when children can play or have computer time. These will be explained to you by staff when you arrive.