"Communication with family regarding patient transfer"

My parent was admitted to SCGH on a few months ago following an acute episode of delirium. Several days after this admission they were transferred to the Delirium care unit C16. We have overall been happy with their care there. My parent's stay was extended as their care needs are such that they are unable to be cared for at home and we were awaiting a placement in a nursing home. 

My parent was transferred from SCGH to South Perth Hospital recently, with no prior warning to the family on the day of the transfer. 

While we had an email several weeks earlier indicating the hospital was exploring whether my parent was clinically suitable for South Perth, and if so, explore availability we expected that we would receive at least a days notice prior to any such move.

My other parent received a phone call while in the carpark at SCGH on their way to visit my parent only to be told they had been moved to South Perth earlier that day eg. family were advised after the fact. I check my voicemail, email and there were no messages left prior to the move. 

We do not object to the move, South Perth is geographically closer to m family to visit. We were disappointed with the lack of notice and poor communication with family on the day of the move. My parent has previously been quite distressed when they have been moved previously eg. from one ward to another, or to a different room. We could have helped prepare them for the move if we knew the move to South Perth was imminent. 

I am also disappointed in the clinical handover - we were aware of an appointment with the South Perth hospital, however, we recently found out for the first time about a second appointment with that hospital the next day. My parent is a risk of wandering, they have delirium, and my other parent has early stages of dementia so when there is an appointment I need to arrange time off work to attend, or move work meetings around. To be given a days notice for an appointment makes it difficult. 

We have been extremely happy with the clinical care my parent has received from staff at SCGH. We are just extremely disappointed that we did not get a phone call, email, voicemail advising us of the move to South Perth on the day until the move had already occurred. My other parent has visited them almost every day during their stay so it was a shock that they found out when in the carpark at SCGH to visit that day to find out my parent has already moved.

I do appreciate that vacancies might come up at short notice, and there might be a greater clinical need for the bed at SCGH. In instances where the hospital is unable to get hold of the primary carer and other family members I think sending a text message or a email would have been preferable than letting family find out after the move.