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Tom Price Hospital and local GP

Posted By Is this standard practice

"Tom Price Hospital and local GP"

About: GPs in the Durack Electoral District Tom Price Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

 Good Morning,

I would like to know more about the hospital in Tom Price and it’s relation to the private GP practice in town.

When you visit the ER you are told no doctors are employed there (WA health does not employ them at the hospital we are told) and you are directed towards the local GP for which a visit even for a referral for a toddler is $76.

Now sometimes when a doctor is in the hospital he/she will not pre-advance your GP visits, they won’t write a referral there for a urine or stool sample. You have to go and see that doctor who is standing in front of you at the GP ($76 or $86) to get that referral (no check over of my toddler was done in this visit, just a referral write up). They then send it off and you need to visit again when results are back (another $76) even if nothing shows up.

I believe it’s quite common knowledge throughout this town that many people steer clear of the hospital and GP because of these reasons. It feel like we are being taken for a ride by something that does not seem like standard practice. Not to mention what seems to be aggressive responses when raising the subject and then being made to feel like a second rate patient by staff.

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Responses

Response from Penny Curtis, Clinical Risk Manager, Patient Safety & Quality, WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara 6 years ago
Penny Curtis
Clinical Risk Manager, Patient Safety & Quality,
WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara

Submitted on 1/02/2018 at 6:27 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 2/02/2018 at 10:02 AM

Good Afternoon. Thanks 'Is this standard practice' for taking the time to post on Patient Opinion and ask questions about the Tom Price Hospital and the relationship of the Hospital to the Private GP Clinic in town. I’m sorry to hear that you have experienced aggressive responses from staff when you asked for more information.

I understand our Regional Medical Director for the Pilbara Dr Philip Montgomery got in contact with you by phone this afternoon after you contacted the WA Country Health Service by email. I understand Dr Montgomery was able to answer your questions and explain about how doctors are contracted to work at Tom Price Hospital. If on reflection you had any further questions feel free to get in contact with Dr Montgomery on 08 9174 1643 or Philip.Montgomery@health.wa.gov.au

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