"Hospital & Aged Care Services"

Leading up to these events my parent was diagnosed with 5 bulging discs in the lower back L1-L5 with one of the discs severely impinging on their nerve. They were in a lot of pain but still managing around the household, though limited from their normal hobbies/activities of gardening and walking their dog. My parent was living independently.

It was recommended that a Cortisone injection be carried out in my parent's lower back. The injection was to be done with ultrasound guidance.

Two months ago - my parent attended Bunbury Regional Hospital to receive the Cortisone injection. During the procedure my parent experienced extreme pain to which they described as 'the worst pain they have ever felt in their life'. Their right leg went numb and couldn’t walk. My parent was monitored in ED and then sent home, without explanation, except that the procedure records showed 'no issues'. Their leg was still very sore and numb.

Over the next couple of weeks  - The pain in both my parent's lower back and leg worsened to the point where they were only getting out of bed to use the bathroom.

Early last month - We took my parent to Bunbury ED where the doctor carried out a CT scan, finding the discs had not improved or worsened, but the pain had increased. My parent stayed overnight and was discharged into my care. We requested an ACAT assessment at this point to increase their support at home. We were informed that we would be contacted within a 2-4 week period.

Over the next three weeks - My parent was care of my sibling and I. During this period my parent did visit Collie Hospital to check their pacemaker. Confirmed to be working & ensured that they had a follow-up appointment with their cardiac specialist. I also followed up with ACNA and My Aged Care to see how the ACAT assessment was progressing. We were told my parent was in line as a low priority and that we just had to wait. This was within the original 2-4 week period so I waited. My parent showed little improvement, however wanted to return home.

Late last month - My sibling returned my parent to their home. One morning a few days later, a neighbour called in to check on my parent and they couldn't get out of bed so the neighbour called an ambulance. My parent was taken to Bunbury ED.

Over a few days - My parent stayed in ED for two nights before they were moved into a ward. I felt that Bunbury hospital barely cared for my parent. I understand they didn't assist in bathing/showering my parent either. Their pain had not subsided at all, however I was told they were ready to be discharged. My parent did see a pain specialist that I recall told my parent it was not going to get better and they just needed to learn to deal with it. A social worker met with my parent who provided codes for immediate increase in aged care services, though these would not be substantial enough to return my parent to their residence alone, especially considering none of their symptoms had been alleviated. When I arrived to discharge my parent, I was informed by their attending nurse that my parent required a 'chest x-ray'. I queried this as I believed it had no relevance to their back. The nurse returned and, seemingly confidently, informed me that the chest x-ray was required. My parent was taken for the x-ray and the x-ray technician told my parent they were having a hip x-ray. Upon discharge we were provided with no instructions for medication, only a couple of prescriptions that we had to get filled. During my parent's period in the ED I also requested from the doctor that their ACAT assessment request be elevated to a higher priority, they said GP had to do that.

Early this month - My parent stayed in my full time care. Their pain and condition worsened. I called ACNA again and I was now told it would be a 3-4month wait. I asked how to elevate this, and they said the hospital should have done this for you. At this point I took my parent to Collie emergency department because their pain was unbearable.

Overnight - The nurse, Elisha, did everything to help get my parent comfortable. She organised a Telehealth conference with a GP who put together a new pain management plan. Elisha informed us that we had been giving too little of the pain medication as per my parent's notes from Bunbury's discharge information. This information did not match the prescription instructions that we were given and we were not provided with a sufficient amount of medication to substantiate this. We informed Elisha we had no knowledge of this change of medication and were just following what was written on the scripts on the box. Collie Hospital said they would aim to keep my parent in as a 'failed discharge from Bunbury Hospital'. We were told to come back after noon when the local GP was coming onto shift. The ED was extremely busy and due to the lack of staff, my parent was not given their pain medication at the correct time so their pain had elevated again. Elisha rectified this as soon as she was aware, and the doctor told us my parent would stay the night and they would see my parent later in the afternoon as ED was very busy. The doctor didn't end up seeing my parent until 11pm.

The next day - Upon discharge. they gave us a comprehensive breakdown of my parent's medication plan. It was indicated that my parent probably should have been staying in hospital longer, however, Collie Hospital didn't have any available beds and the board would not admit my parent. We felt our only option was to take them home. The hospital did say that the social worker would contact us but unfortunately that hasn't happened.

Up until the time of writing this story - My sibling and I have continued to provide full time care at the expense of taking leave from work to assist my parent with everyday tasks. There has been no further communication from ACNA to inform us about their ACAT assessment.

As of now - This situation is still not resolved.