"Third time was not a charm!"

We have attended the Swan Hill ED three times , since the new build opening. Each time we have been treated by the same doctor, and on this occasion as well as the previous occasion- we find them awful. I left feeling equally frustrated with the lack of care and treatment for our concern again. As previously experienced- we were basically told , they were too busy, lack of beds , the only doctor on , and there were patients far sicker with life threatening conditions - and I felt we were pretty much dismissed!

We attended with our child who had previously attended local GP a couple of weeks ago for a kidney / bladder concern - and that concern brought us to ED tonight as the condition appears to be worsening and obviously we felt significant to sit and wait a very lengthy time in ED for a reason- whilst waiting we witnessed a child who attended with burns to their body from a fire sit what I felt was an exceptionally lengthy time and heard there story and how it started days ago- and how they were waiting follow up care and communication had been awful. It seemed clear to me that the wounds were deteriorating and I recall no one even check in on this family. I felt for this poor family.

When we were finally seen by the doctor - they basically told me to take my concerns to Bendigo - this doctor has expressed this in previous consultation - that this is an emergency, and seemingly refuses to further investigate. They don’t take bloods, can’t do after hours ultrasound and X-ray and that our child appears well so can’t be too much wrong with them - Trust me as a parent, I know my child and when something isn’t quite right.

Discharged, I am still concerned and will follow up alternative care for our child - which I believe we shouldn’t have to do given the fancy new hospital we have in our own backyard. I think it’s a shame this doctor seemingly doesn’t value a parent's concern, and what is not normal for their child.

I felt our concerns were dismissed even though the concern is worsening, we pushed for further investigation and was denied telling me my child - toilet trained since 18 months has suddenly developed this mystery condition and need to toilet , yet has a weak stream , and small urine discharge amounts , expressing discomfort is apparently for no reason and to make them hold longer before going to the toilet ( I can assure you that any continence nurse, or urologist would not support this as we work closely with nephrology, urology and continence for another child which also supports my understanding of when something needs further investigation!)

Reading recent feedback , from others stories it seems that internally nothings changes - fancy build, half operating, poorly resourced and understaffed , lovely nurses doing their best , and in my opinion a quite sub par doctor who expresses a lack of concern if your not “dying” refused care and further investigation even to provide a blood slip, urine slip , and further kidney investigation for infection , protein and Creteins , because the not always conclusive “dip stick” said no UTI etc - but in my experience they are a great tool but not the end all of diagnosing a patient!

I’m very frustrated and upset with the doctor who treated my child, I pushed feeling concern and dismissed for the well-being of my child- spoke to the nurse in charge who basically was very empathetic but expressed the doctor felt strongly in their opinion and wouldn’t further investigate. I believe not all patients have to be dying, prevention is a wonderful thing, not all illness can be seen even though my own child expressed to the doctor their troubles.

When we were seen , there were no beds, we had waited a very long time hours and hours , no one checked in, no coffee machine, no facility or vending machine to get something to eat or drink- the toilets were dirty , and it wasn’t until I complained about the hours we had waited , and lack of investigation via ultrasound to investigate while we waited that someone did some belly test to see fluid , or urine etc -

We were told they were waiting for patients to be taken to the ward and this is an ongoing issue that we’ve witnessed , these transfers are timely and we find the the wards often full anyway so they have no were to go and then a lack of consulting rooms , the doctor can’t treat further patients, we were taken through , it was clearly busy , but then the doctor realised there was no where for us we waited outside the treatment room of other patients and then stood in a room that had no bed potentially a patient had just been transferred and all in all I felt it was very unprofessional, lacked empathy , respect or investigation for our concern.

It seems this is happening too often reading other’s experiences! We have spent a long time in Hospitals with a very sick child and generally understand the procedures, policy’s and workings internally of the hospital regarding bed management, transfers , escalating concerns and what can be done in general when being treated and this doctor is very dismissive and I worry at what cost!

Unfortunately on this occasion, I felt the treatment was dismissive and I’ll now seek further opinion and support. At least we have a fancy new build, but still the same lack of X-ray/ ultrasound to assist in diagnosis patients ( god forbid you don’t fall ill Mon- Fri 9-5 ) still lack of care if sitting, no check in with how the patient is feeling , if the condition is worse., At this time I noticed ED was slow , and full, the ward appeared full, there was no bed movement and that put pressure on the doctor even being able to see anyone in the waiting room not that it was worth the wait , because I felt the doctor was awful.