"Exceptional care when our family needed it most"

We arrived at Kununurra Hospital in an absolute frenzy after our child had experienced a seizure and had only just begun responding again on the way to hospital. We had no idea what was happening or whether something even more serious had occurred. We were frightened and overwhelmed.

The care began before we had even made it through the doors. A member of the security team saw us arriving distressed and immediately raced to open the doors and help us inside. It may seem like a small thing, but in that moment it meant everything. From the very first person we encountered, there was an immediate sense that people were there to help us.

From there, the care was extraordinary.

Our child was surrounded with calm, compassionate and professional care. The team made sure our child was comfortable and reassured throughout the entire experience, while also recognising just how frightening the situation had been for us as parents.

The thoroughness of the medical care was remarkable. The doctors undertook respiratory testing and comprehensive blood tests to understand what had happened and rule out other concerns. Despite it being very late at night, a pathology scientist was even called in from home so that the necessary testing could be completed.

What particularly stayed with us was the time the doctors gave us afterwards. They came and sat beside us and carefully talked us through what had happened, what they believed had caused the seizure and what we needed to understand going forward. We never felt rushed, dismissed or that our questions were an inconvenience.

There was an incredible amount of empathy from everyone caring for us. Some of the staff spoke to us with the understanding of people who were parents themselves, and that combination of professional care and genuine human compassion was incredibly comforting.

Staff stayed beyond their normal hours to ensure our child was properly cared for and that we, as parents, were supported too. We were given reassurance, explanations, comfort and time when we desperately needed all of those things.

Living in a regional community, there can sometimes be anxiety about what will happen when a serious medical situation occurs late at night. On this occasion, Kununurra Hospital gave our family an exceptional level of care.

I cannot adequately express our gratitude to everyone who looked after us. What began as one of the most frightening experiences our family has faced ended with us feeling safe, informed and incredibly well supported.

From the security staff who helped us through the door, to the nurses, doctors, pathology staff and everyone who stayed, helped, reassured and cared for our family that night — thank you.

It was regional healthcare at its very best, and we will always be enormously grateful.