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"Reaching out for help"

About: Coral Bay Nursing Post

(as the patient),

About a year and a half ago, I was having a severe panic attack. Desperate and scared, I called the post for help. A local nurse picked up. I managed to say hello and asked if someone was available—I needed to come in urgently. Once they heard my name, their tone changed. I recall they snapped, we’re busy right now, call back later, and hung up.

What if that had been the moment I broke?

Who would have carried the weight of that outcome? Because I reached out to the system that was meant to help me, and it shut the door in my face.

I’m not the only one. For years, it seems I and others have been made to feel small, judged, and even humiliated. There were whispers in our community—painful ones—about how private medical information was shared. People were gossiped about. Who had what STD, who was with who—passed around like it was entertainment instead of protected health information. That breach of trust cut deep.

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Responses

Response from Vanessa Parker, Acting Operations Manager Gascoyne, Midwest, WA Country Health Service last month
Vanessa Parker
Acting Operations Manager Gascoyne, Midwest,
WA Country Health Service
Submitted on 13/05/2025 at 11:34 AM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 2:24 PM


picture of Vanessa Parker

Dear Coralbay nursing post

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us on Care Opinion.

I would like to offer my sincere apologies that when you needed support and assistance from the nursing post we did not meet your and the community’s expectations. Any interaction with a consumer should align with our values, particularly compassion. Anytime you feel you need support you are able to present to the Nursing Post, where you will be triaged and assessed in time according to level of triage urgency. I will ensure our nursing post staff are reminded that this is the information they should provide to consumers when the nursing post receives a call from a community member who is unwell.

I was disappointed to read the community are concerned that the nursing post has been responsible for breaches in confidentiality. I have ensured the nursing post staff have been reminded of their confidentiality responsibilities and the potential outcomes for failure to adhere to them. If any community member has specific examples of confidentiality breaches, I would encourage them to contact me so they can be fully investigated. My name is Vanessa Parker, I am the Acting Operations Manager Gascoyne and I can be reached on 0427 700 695 or wachs-midwest.gascoyneoperationsmanager@health.wa.gov.au

I hope you have accessed the care and treatment you needed and are currently well. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss your concerns in more detail and your call would be very welcomed.

Kind regards

Vanessa Parker

Acting Operations Manager – Gascoyne

WA Country Health Service - Midwest

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Vanessa Parker, Acting Operations Manager Gascoyne, Midwest, WA Country Health Service last month
Vanessa Parker
Acting Operations Manager Gascoyne, Midwest,
WA Country Health Service
Submitted on 29/05/2025 at 4:27 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 30/05/2025 at 9:03 AM


picture of Vanessa Parker

Dear Coralbay nursing post

Thank you again for sharing your story on Care Opinion.

I wished to reach out again and assure you I am available if you wish to discuss your concerns with me. Please feel free to contact me on 9941 0300 at any time.

Kind regards

Vanessa Parker

Acting Operations Manager – Gascoyne

WA Country Health Service - Midwest

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
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