"“ dismissed “"

I presented to the Emergency Department at swan Hill Hospital, and, while I was triaged quickly, I informed them upon arrival that I had bloods done three days earlier showing low iron and that I could not wait another week for an infusion. Despite this, I was left waiting for over 5 hours before being told to go home and return the next morning.

When I returned and explained my situation again, I felt I was treated rudely by the emergency department staff. I was briefly given a bed for 15–20 minutes before being told I had to vacate it and return to the waiting area. At that point, I felt so dismissed and unsupported that I left and went home — only to lose consciousness again not long after.

My partner rang another Hospital (two hours away), and they told us to come in immediately. I felt the difference in care was astonishing. The staff I saw there were compassionate, thorough, and professional. Within a short time they ran an ECG, blood tests, and other checks, and discovered I had very low blood pressure, a ferritin level of 4, and iron of 5 — all while 27 weeks pregnant and experiencing heart palpitations and fainting. I recall they seemed horrified that I had been sent home from my local hospital and told only to ‘drink water and wait the further 7 days untill I could get an iron infusion done there.

At the other hospital, I was promptly treated with an iron infusion — a simple 15-minute procedure — and finally felt safe and properly cared for.

I am absolutely disgusted with the apparent lack of care and empathy at Swan Hill Hospital. To be dismissed twice in such a serious condition, while pregnant, I believe could have had devastating consequences. I hope this hospital seriously reconsiders how it treats patients who present in need of urgent care.