Dr Matthew Kirkwood

The Hawkesbury Family Practice

86 Lennox St

PO Box 712

Richmond

NSW 2753

31.10.2025

Re: Anthony Bateson (DOB: 25/07/1971) MHCP review

Dear Kirkwood

Thank you for referring Anthony Bateson for a GP MHCP and subsequent WHL PTS SOS plan in August 2025 for ‘low mood impacting his ability to attend work’. I write to provide you with an update and to let you know that Anthony has requested a break in therapy until 2026 due to work commitments.

Initial Presentation

At the time of his initial presentation on the 29th of August, Anthony reported significant distress related to ongoing custody issues with his 12-year-old daughter Lilly. He separated from Lilly’s mother when she was 5 months old due to relationship difficulties. He had been seeing her every second weekend prior to Christmas 2024 when there was an misunderstanding, leading to no contact since. He said that his ex-partner contacts him regarding child support payments but was not flexible when he explained financial difficulties due to medical expenses, which was causing financial pressure and increased stress.

Chronic pain from multiple physical health conditions was compounding Anthony’s mental health, causing Anthony to take time off work as he felt "physically and mentally drained" and unable to continue. He reported physical discomfort and restricted movement in his neck and back affecting his ability to turn and look in mirrors whilst driving, causing upset and loss of patience whilst driving, stating “I feel like I’m falling apart”.

Anthony reported a history of poor sleep and stress headaches. Work hours prohibit healthy eating, and Anthony reported having to snack and eat fast food whilst driving, which he understands does not support his health

28.08.2025: K10 score: 32/50

Mental health history

Anthony witnessed a fatal road accident in February/March this year which triggered memories of previous crashes and incidents, leading him to seek help. Previous traumatic experiences were encountered during his career of truck driving and also during 30 years of active service Completed as volunteer with Freeman's Reach Fire Brigade until 2018, including fires and first respond

Anthony stated that you (Dr Kirkwood) consider he may have PTSD, however requires assessment for formal diagnosis.

Over the course of his sessions, Anthony detailed extensive trauma exposure during 30-year fire brigade career including motor vehicle accidents, fatalities, suicides, house fires, and witnessing families lose everything. He described dangerous truck driving practices from earlier career including high-speed convoys and witnessing multiple fatal truck accidents and recounted specific traumatic incidents including rollover fatalities of young drivers and being first responder to various emergency situations.

Past Medical

Medical history: Degenerating discs in neck with three pinched nerves requiring cortisone injections; requires shoulder replacement; torn meniscus in left knee; bursitis in both hips (left worse); lower and middle back problems including Sherman's disease; broken ribs from 16 years ago causing ongoing arthritis pain; industrial deafness and tinnitus; kidney stones (recurrent over 7-9 years (TBC))

Currently has regular massage therapy from Sophie Dean

Family history

Father died 30+ years ago at age 52, two months before patient's 21st birthday of bowel cancer.

Developmental history

Not yet explored.

Supports

Currently lives with his 80-year-old mother at Freeman's Reach after moving back following separation

Works as a truck driver doing local civil construction work. Previously did long-haul trucking but stopped due to fatigue and safety concerns, stating "too many near misses"

Lost his dog of 18 years (cattle dog cross named Rexy) some years ago and has been considering getting another dog for companionship

Has three sisters (two in Glossodia, one in Wodonga) and maintains friendships with work colleagues and community members

Describes having "a hard life but a pretty good life too" with extensive manual labour throughout his working career

MSE

Overweight Caucasian male, moving very stiffly due to chronic health issues, struggling to stand after sitting for extended period.

Reporting low mood, with anxious expression. Some improvement in mood after a few sessions, evidenced by smiling, laughing and warm expression.

Content as stated above.

Slow rate of speech.

Denied alteration in perception.

Oriented to time place and person

Demonstrated good insight and judgement by recognising when he was unsafe to drive trucks due to fatigue and near-misses, and recently took time off work when feeling unable to cope safely

Update

Anthony took a couple of weeks off work in early September to support his mental health, with some improvement noted. On the 19th of September, he reported significant anxiety and depression about returning to work the next day, preventing him from attending. However, he was able to rally and resumed work the following day and has been back truck driving full time since then. Following his recent cortisone injections, he has been more comfortable driving, albeit still in pain and discomfort, just to a lesser degree.

At the time of his last consultation on the 17th October, 2025, Anthony expressed significant work-related stress and dissatisfaction with current truck driving position. He was considering resignation from current employment in the new year due to ongoing frustration with traffic, weight compliance issues, and physical demands. He is considering a career change from truck driving due to physical limitations and job dissatisfaction, however is unsure what his skill set will enable him to do.

I have asked Anthony to discuss his work capacity with you, Dr Kirkwood, particularly regarding fitness for his current role and whether he qualifies for the DSP – though Anthony does not consider that this would be adequate for his living expenses.

Anthony contacted me today to request postponing future sessions until next year due to work and financial commitments. He denied any thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation and assured me that he will be in touch if his mental health deteriorates.

Plan

Keep SOS plan open for now, to be resumed next year or prior, as needed.

Regards,

Michelle Hookham