"Disinterested nurse at Kerang Hospital causes distress for anxious mum"

I recently had the misfortune of having to access the emergency department at the Kerang hospital. It was for my 6 month old son.

On arrival to the emergency department I was asked did I call and I said to the nurse no I did not, she at this point took no details and appeared to continue to hand out cups of tea to patients. She then asked me what I was doing there and I told her my 6 month old had a rash and we were advised by the doctor if it got worse to turn up to the emergency department. She then asked what his name was and disappeared for 10 minutes. I assumed she was getting his emergency record.

She came back empty handed in what seemed a very disinterested way. She said I suppose I could do some obs on him but we are not on call this weekend you'll have to take him to Barham. She did not once look at my son and she seemed very uninterested in my son and myself. I felt like I was wasting her time being at the hospital. After her disappointing attitude I took my son to Bendigo hospital where he was seen by a doctor within an hour.

I have received a response from the hospital stating the nurse who saw to me said she referred me to a more senior nurse. This was not mentioned to me and I never saw another nurse at the hospital, so I can only assume this was a lie from the nurse to cover up her poor nursing skills.

My advice is if you live close to Kerang and need to see a doctor or attend the emergency department drive to Bendigo or Swan Hill don't waste your time at the Kerang Hospital