"A high five that made all the difference"

I wanted to thank the team at Bunbury Emergency Department for the care provided to my 5-year-old daughter recently.

What stood out most was how the staff spoke directly to my daughter, explained everything in a way she could understand, and always made sure she was comfortable before proceeding. It was refreshing to see her included in conversations about her own care, rather than everything being directed through me as the parent.

After an unsuccessful attempt to suture under local anaesthetic on the night, we returned the next day to consider IV sedation. The team continued to keep both my daughter and I informed and involved in the decision-making. Dr Othman carefully explained both the sedation option and the alternative of using medical glue, including the pros and cons of each.

To help reassure my daughter, Dr Othman demonstrated the glue on his own skin and on her hand, talked her through the process, and made sure she was happy to proceed. The high-five they exchanged to seal the deal made her feel in control and turned what could have been a scary experience into a positive one.

The play area, books in the waiting room and bravery certificate were also wonderful touches. My daughter was so proud of her certificate that she's been showing it off to family and friends ever since.

Thank you to Dr Othman and the entire Bunbury ED team for providing such compassionate, respectful and child-centred care