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Care Opinion

Emergency

Posted By Aching Body

"Emergency"

About: Geraldton Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

When you feel like you are going to pass out, every bone in your body is aching, a 2 hour wait so far is a long time.

In addition to this, it appears that all people attending are not dealing well and having to sit on the hard seats in the waiting room for close to 3 hours was very uncomfortable. I also observed many other people slumped over waiting to be seen I understand the reason for the wait, but unfortunately it doesn't help when when you're feeling very ill.

 A suggestion for waiting patients would be to perhaps have some bean bags or day beds where people can make themselves more comfortable while they wait which is apparently a common occurrence. If the hospital would accept them I would be happy to donate some bean bags which I am sure would be appreciated by patients as there were many mothers nursing restless babies while I was there.

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Responses

Response from Liz Kelly, A/Coordinator Executive Services, WA Country Health Service Midwest 7 years ago
Liz Kelly
A/Coordinator Executive Services,
WA Country Health Service Midwest

Submitted on 25/08/2016 at 5:04 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 26/08/2016 at 9:29 AM

picture of Liz Kelly

Dear Aching Body

Thank you for writing to us about your experience in our Emergency Department. It is a frustrating process to be waiting for care and WACHS Midwest does aim to ensure that all patients are seen in a timely manner. Geraldton Hospital uses the Australian Triage Score system to prioritise patients based on how unwell they are and as a result of demands for services sometimes patients do experience longer periods within the waiting room.

I am sorry to hear that you experienced significant discomfort using the waiting room chairs in the Emergency Department. Your offer of a donation is greatly appreciated, however due to patient safety and for infection control purposes bean bags would not be suitable for the waiting room. Your story has been forwarded to the A/Operations Manager of Geraldton Hospital, Derek Fraser, and will be discussed to determine if there are any opportunities to improve patient amenity.

WACHS Midwest values all feedback and at Geraldton Hospital we have created the Geraldton Hospital User Group (G-HUG) as a forum for patients and carers to provide feedback and advice about how we can improve patient experience. In reading your story I thought this group might be one you would like to join. If you are interested please contact me on phone 9956 2291 or email liz.kelly@health.wa.gov.au and I can provide you with further information. Alternatively you can contact Michele Young on 9956 8695.

I hope you have begun to feel better and that I will hear from you about joining G-HUG.

Kind Regards

Liz

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