FAMILIES UNDER PRESSURE FROM PAEDIATRIC SHORTAGES
A shortage of paediatric consultants in Argyll is putting major pressure on families of children with learning difficulties.
Parents and third sector workers in Lochgilphead have spoken out about the struggles being faced by local children and families.
Youngsters with neurodivergence issues are going undiagnosed.
And parents of children who are diagnosed are unable to speak to a specialist consultant about reviewing medication. Julie Sinclair, manager at the Dochas Carers Centre in Lochgilphead, described some of the problems.
She said: “We have been aware for quite a few months now that there is a lack of consultant paediatric resource in Argyll and Bute.
“This was flagged up with the Health and Social Care Partnership last autumn. It is something that the HSCP is aware of. They are struggling to get somebody to come and work in the area.
“It is delaying diagnosis of conditions like ADHD. If a child’s medication needs reviewed, not all GPs are prepared to do that because they don’t have the specialist knowledge.
“Children are not getting diagnosed and they are not getting medication reviewed.
“The HSCP is in the process of developing a strategy and having a look at the resources available for children and families with neurodiverse issues.
“There are a number of support groups for parents of neurodiverse children throughout Argyll and Bute, all supported by the local carers centres.”
The situation has been described as a real struggle by two Lochgilphead mothers.
Jodie Fyfe, 40, is a mum of six. Her daughter
Gracie Crawford, seven, has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), ODD (oppositional defiant disorder) and suspected autism.
Jodie said: “Gracie has seen a paediatrician once in two years and I’ve had one phone appointment.
“I’m not going to lie. I find it tough. The not knowing.
“Gracie is on medication to help her focus. She is showing signs of autism and is going to be assessed.
“If we could see a consultant, they could give us answers to some of the questions we are unsure of. I have to use Google to help me handle her condition.
“Sometimes it gets a bit much. I don’t know how to calm her down. She is very passionate and has no sense of danger.
“Gracie’s medication was to go up. But she was falling asleep and becoming withdrawn. The pharmacist at Mid Argyll Community Hospital said her blood pressure should have been checked and she should have been weighed.
“I was left speaking to the pharmacist about how much medication I should be giving her instead of seeing a paediatrician.
“I don’t think it’s right that we have to rely on Google.”
She added that at school, some teachers do not understand her children’s conditions properly. Other teachers are “amazing,” she said.
Jodie continued: “We don’t have enough support workers in school for the amount of children that are coming out to have all these learning difficulties. That’s why kids like Gracie are only in half days.”
She said Lochgilphead Joint Campus has a learning centre and the capacity at times to have two support workers to one child. They are working in phases to help Gracie’s attendance at school. She will attend breakfast club in the morning. Sometimes she can be in school until 1pm, sometimes 2pm.
Christine Crawford, 36, of Lochgilphead, is also the mother of a neurodivergent child. She said that support from the third sector has been invaluable and agrees with Jodie that there is a need for a full-time consultant paediatrician.
Christine said: “The Dochas Centre has a support group two Wednesdays a month. A lot of parents go there because we are all looking for answers.”
The parent support group meets at the Dochas Centre, Lochgilphead and the next meeting is on Saturday June 15 from 10.30am until midday.
A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We remain committed to supporting children, young people, and families to access psychological, neurodevelopmental, diagnostic, and intervention services at the earliest opportunity to meet their needs.
“We currently have a vacancy for a consultant paediatrician and despite our best efforts and also due to national recruitment challenges we have been unable to recruit to this post. In the meantime we have managed to secure a community paediatric locum for one day a week covering West Argyll.
“The HSCP also has a Service Level Agreement with NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde to provide general paediatric medical services to Argyll and Bute and this SLA covers all paediatric care delivered locally as well as outreach clinics delivered by general paediatricians.
“Moving forward we recognise that the previous model is no longer sustainable and we are working with our partners to develop a new service model which will focus on increasing access, equity and capacity across the whole system.”