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Lack of Patient Discharge notification

Posted By Gutnick

"Lack of Patient Discharge notification"

About: Geraldton Hospital / General Ward

(as a friend),

An elderly patient suffering from severe COPD and other lung functions was discharged from Geraldton Regional Hospital after seven days in hospital without notifying next of kin, no medication to get through the weekend and four bottles of oxygen

The patient was put in a taxi and sent to their home about 100kms from the hospital.

The ward clerk was told numerous times during the patients stay that there would be nobody at home if they were discharged on Friday and it was preferable to pick up the patient either Sunday or Monday and that I, as next of kin was to be informed of the patients discharge.

On the night the patient was discharged I called an ambulance to attend the patient who was feeling unwell, short of breath and worried.

The paramedics arrived connected the oxygen and made the patient feel comfortable

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Responses

Response from Cameron Ross, District Director Geraldton Health Campus, Midwest, WA Country Health Service 2 weeks ago
Cameron Ross
District Director Geraldton Health Campus, Midwest,
WA Country Health Service

Operations Manager Geraldton Health Campus

Submitted on 10/03/2026 at 3:36 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 11/03/2026 at 9:46 AM

picture of Cameron Ross

Dear Gutnick,

Thank you for sharing your friend’s experience on Care Opinion and for advocating for them.

I was concerned to read that the discharge arrangements for your friend did not align with the discussions you described. When discharging patients who live outside the Geraldton area, it is essential that we consider all relevant factors, including communication with next of kin and the patient’s support needs. It appears that on this occasion this may not have occurred, and for that I offer my sincere apologies to you both. I would also like to acknowledge and thank you and the attending paramedics for ensuring your friend received timely support and reassurance.

I would be grateful if you could contact me directly so that I can arrange for your friend’s discharge planning and processes to be reviewed in detail, with the aim of identifying any opportunities for improvement in how we manage patient discharges. My name is Cameron Ross, District Director at Geraldton Health Campus, and I can be reached on 9956 2403.

I hope your friend is recovering well, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,
Cameron Ross
District Director – Geraldton Health Campus
WA Country Health Service – Midwest
Tel: 9956 2403

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Cameron Ross, District Director Geraldton Health Campus, Midwest, WA Country Health Service yesterday
Cameron Ross
District Director Geraldton Health Campus, Midwest,
WA Country Health Service

Operations Manager Geraldton Health Campus

Submitted on 26/03/2026 at 5:24 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 27/03/2026 at 4:23 PM

picture of Cameron Ross

Dear Gutnick,

Thank you again for sharing your feedback with us on Care Opinion.

I wanted to reach out to you again and offer a discussion with you to address your concerns in detail. With your friend’s consent and information, I can arrange for their care to be reviewed and share the findings with you once completed. You can reach me on 9956 2403 if you wish to get in touch.

I hope your friend is well.

Regards

Cameron Ross

District Director – Geraldton Health Campus
WA Country Health Service – Midwest
Tel: 9956 2403

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