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"Thankyou Mount Barker Hospital. We didn’t realise how serious this was."

About: Albany Health Campus Fiona Stanley Hospital Plantagenet Hospital / Emergency Department Royal Flying Doctors Service (Heathcote Health)

(as a partner),

Hubby woke with back pain which he normally has, but this escalated rather quickly when he was sweating and then was so cold and shaking badly. Raced him to Mount Baker hospital where they quickly took blood and urine samples. Hooked him up to saline and pain meds as well as antibiotics. Sent him via ambulance to Albany hospital, who performed an ultrasound and ct scan and was told that he had a kidney stone infection and that they could handle it but weren’t going to mess around with it, and so he was flown by RFDS to Fiona Stanley in the middle of the night. Had a stent put in (which stayed in for a month) and spent 3 days in ICU on antibiotics. Turns out he the 3.4mm stone was blocking the ureter, so the urine was backing up to the kidney causing the infection, and it was turning septic. So we just wanted to say a BIG thank everyone involved who did a fantastic job in working quickly especially those that were on duty in Mount Barker hospital on the 17th July 2026 for getting things underway from the get go. This experience also makes us appreciate the RFDS service that is available to country people.

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Responses

Response from Kate Hambleton, Director, Albany Health Campus, WACHS GS 17 hours ago
Kate Hambleton
Director, Albany Health Campus,
WACHS GS
Submitted on 11/09/2026 at 4:12 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 4:35 PM


Dear giftqb35,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story and for recognising the care your husband received during what must have been a very frightening and stressful experience for both of you.

From your description, it is clear that your husband's condition deteriorated rapidly, and we appreciate how alarming it must have been to see him in such severe pain and becoming so unwell so quickly. We are grateful that you acted promptly in seeking medical care.

It is reassuring to hear that the team at Mount Barker Hospital responded swiftly, undertaking investigations, commencing treatment, and arranging urgent transfer when it became apparent that your husband required a higher level of specialist care. The collaboration between the teams at Mount Barker Hospital, Albany Health Campus, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and Fiona Stanley Hospital demonstrates the importance of coordinated care in ensuring patients from regional communities receive timely access to specialist treatment when needed.

Your kind words about the staff on duty at Mount Barker Hospital on 17 July 2026 will be shared with the team. Feedback such as yours is incredibly meaningful and highlights the dedication of our clinicians and support staff who work hard to provide safe, compassionate, and timely care for our patients.

We are also pleased to hear your appreciation for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Their partnership with regional health services plays a vital role in ensuring country patients can access specialist care when urgent transfers are required.

Thank you again for sharing your experience and for acknowledging the many healthcare professionals involved in your husband's care. We wish him continued recovery and good health.

Kind regards,

Kate Hambleton

District Director |Lower Great Southern

WACHS Great Southern

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