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Care Opinion

Lack of staff numbers

Posted By aprilqs97

"Lack of staff numbers"

About: Bremer Bay Health Centre

(as the patient),

Recently, I tried phoning the Bremer Bay Health Centre several times in the morning, with it dialling out with no message bank or answering service to say what to do? So, I was left wondering.... is there anyone there? It wasn't an emergency at this time but I'm asthmatic and had a few issues to run by the nurse!

Finally, after lunch, I was able to phone through with the nurse answering and stating they could only take a quick few details as they mentioned they were dealing with an emergency at that moment...

I'm feeling our Bremer Bay Health Centre is undermanned and this needs to be addressed because, with the way things are at the moment, I believe there is a disaster waiting to happen, as we live in an isolated area, and it's not a very comforting feeling wondering what do I do next?!

This, I must stress, has no reflection on any of the staff members. In fact, I feel very sorry that the nurse is put under so much pressure by manning this themselves and trying to cope at times like this.

Bremer Bay Health Centre over the past has always had such a good reputation for being prompt and able to attend where necessary. I'm saddened for this state of affairs. With hardly any ambulance volunteers, and with the doctor only once a week now and not being able to get an appointment the day before if necessary! This, in turn, requires us to wait another week for an appointment and patients like myself are putting pressure on this, in my view, undermanned centre!

I’m really hoping this could be looked at because I for one can feel quite vulnerable at times and know that I'm not alone with my feelings.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to voice my concerns and opinion!

A response to let me know how this situation is going to be rectified would be appreciated!

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Responses

Response from Tess Robinson, DON/HSM, MPS Operations, WA Country Health Service 5 years ago
Tess Robinson
DON/HSM, MPS Operations,
WA Country Health Service

Manages health services in Ravensthorpe, Bremer Bay and Jerramungup

Submitted on 4/09/2018 at 1:41 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 2:22 PM

Dear aprilqs97,

Thank you for bringing to our attention the phone issue at the Bremer Bay clinic.

We have investigated and discovered there are site-specific internet and phone problems currently at the clinic. These have been reported to our ICT Department to be resolved as a priority.

The nurse on duty has been able to make calls out but incoming calls were affected. Normally if the nurse is with a patient the phone is either diverted to Health Direct or to the nurse’s mobile.

If you are ever calling in an emergency then 000 should always be called.

The Bremer Bay Health Clinic is staffed by a Nurse Practitioner or Remote Area Nurse, Monday through to Friday with call out for Emergency Only. Appointments are necessary in order to balance the Triage requirements for the clinic.

Telehealth for specialist appointments is also available, as well as limited Community Support Services on an assessment basis.

The Nurse Practitioner partners with the Emergency Telehealth Service and the visiting GP to deliver safe and high-quality clinical care for the local community. The local GP currently offers a once a week Bremer Bay clinic and a three day a week Jerramungup clinic.

The Nurse Practitioner is supported by the Remote Area Nurse weekly from Jerramungup, a visiting Child Health Nurse from Albany, as well as engaging collaboratively with local ambulance officers and Pharmacist. These partnerships reflect the strong commitment that local health providers have for the community of Bremer Bay.

We appreciate your input today and hope this has been resolved to your satisfaction.

Tess Robinson

Director of Nursing/Health Service Manager

Ravensthorpe Health Service; Bremer Bay and Jerramungup Health Centres

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by aprilqs97 (the patient)

I thank you for your prompt response in regards to my concern about lack of staff numbers at BBHC.

I am pleased and thank you for your actions regarding the communication problems at BBHC and that they are now on your priority list to be rectified.

You stated we have Community Support Services available in which I am already aware of and agree they are to be valued.

However, BBHC cannot always be relied on for the hours you have mentioned being Monday through to Friday! I called into to see the nurse this morning and I read on the notice board "gone to Jerramungup to drop keys off"! This meant our Centre was left unattended.

Again, I would like to bring your attention to the lack of support staff for when our nurse is unavailable, for community reliability!

Thank you again, for hearing me with my thoughts.

Response from Tess Robinson, DON/HSM, MPS Operations, WA Country Health Service 5 years ago
Tess Robinson
DON/HSM, MPS Operations,
WA Country Health Service

Manages health services in Ravensthorpe, Bremer Bay and Jerramungup

Submitted on 6/09/2018 at 11:22 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:01 PM

Dear aprilqs97

Thanks again for your input. The best way to see the nurse is to make an appointment. This allows her to manage her workload and that of other visiting services/clinics. You can make a time by calling 9837 4026 but in an emergency, please call 000. Alternatively, you may wish to contact Health Direct, a free 24-hour health advice service, on 1800 022 222.

Yours sincerely

Tess Robinson

Director of Nursing/Health Service Manager

Ravensthorpe Health Service; Bremer Bay and Jerramungup Health Centres

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by aprilqs97 (the patient)

Thank you for your informative reply with making an appointment to see the Nurse!

This option also requires more receptionist hours to enable the phone to be answered allowing the Nurse to attend to patients needs without any interruptions.

This emphasizes the fact that there is a "Lack of support staff" at BBHC to meet these necessities.

I'm hoping you can evaluate this need so our BBHC can achieve a reliable efficient service for our growing Community!

With kind regards.

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