"Emergency Department and Great Southern Radiology"

I recently had my mum visiting from England and whilst she was here I, unfortunately, had to take her to the Emergency Department as she had a fall and hit her head. The staff at ED were great - the doctor was lovely, very kind and explained everything that was happening. Mum was admitted overnight and staff again were really good. I was really impressed that the following week we received a follow up phone call from a nurse at ED, who was able to talk through the situation with me - what fantastic service!

What I found absolutely disgusting was when she was sent from the Emergency Department to Great Southern Radiology for a CT Scan, we were stopped from going into the scanner room and told that we had to give them payment details or they wouldn't be able to do it! I understand that GSR is a private contractor, but when you are scared and emotional, not sure if you're elderly mum has sustained a head injury, the last thing you need is someone to ask for your credit card details before she can have a scan to ascertain if there has been any damage to her brain!

Whilst it was clarified the following day that payment was not actually taken (there is a reciprocal agreement between UK and Australia for emergency medical treatment) the fact that GSR put us in that position, late at night, in an already very upsetting situation, I felt was unforgivable.

I hope that Albany Health Campus can find some way to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen, or is at least handled better! It certainly soured an otherwise caring and professional attendance at the hospital.