Deficiencies in psychiatric assessment breach the Code - 21HDC01771

In a report released today, Deputy Health and Disability Commissioner Vanessa Caldwell has found deficiencies in a psychiatric assessment breached the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights (the Code).

The report discusses the care provided to a patient by a psychiatrist. The patient raised concerns to HDC about the psychiatry assessment and diagnosis of anxiety and depression they received from the psychiatrist.

In making this complaint, the patient questioned whether the psychiatrist missed a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also raising concerns with the overall communication they had with the psychiatrist.