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"Needing physiotherapy."

About: Kalgoorlie Health Campus

(as the patient),

I was recently admitted to hospital because I couldn't walk. It's complicated, because I have a number of problems. I have sciatic nerve problems on the right side and motor neurone disease that causes me problems on the left side. 

Before going to hospital I had had x-rays and a CT scan, which showed degeneration. I had been seeing a private physio, which of course is quite costly. My GP had arranged for me to see the physiotherapist's at the hospital, because of my disability and they bulk bill, so it wouldn't cost me like it does at the private physio. The problem is that every time I tell anyone I have motor neurone disease, they put all my problems down to this. But I have a lot of other things going on that also need to be treated. On my first appointment with the physio, my motor neurone disease hadn't been properly diagnosed and all they did was make me scared about the condition. 

On one occasion I was on my way to see the hospital physio's when I received a phone call to tell me they needed to cancel the appointment for that day. I live a long way out of town and was already on my way in. I was told they'd call me back to reschedule my appointment and that was months ago. 
The day I was admitted I phoned the National Help Line and they organised an ambulance to come and get me. When I arrived at the hospital the doctor said I needed drugs and physio. The day after I was admitted the physio came to see me and I asked if we were going to get started. I need massage and exercises - but nothing was done. The next day another physio came to see me and again I wasn't given any treatment or exercises to do. On the third day I asked the doctor when I would be getting physio - drugs are a part of it, but I also need exercises. The doctor tried to arrange for the physio, but they won't come in on weekends. After five days, I'm furious. I'm just lying on my back, when I could have been doing exercises to help me during that time. I'm totally disillusioned. The nurses are great! It's not their fault. They are so short staffed, nobody has time to sit and have a chat, listen to you and try to make you feel better. They only have time to do their jobs and that's all. 

At the moment I have no faith in the physiotherapy department at all. 

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Responses

Response from Carol Erlank, A/Regional Director, WACHS - Goldfields 5 years ago
Carol Erlank
A/Regional Director,
WACHS - Goldfields
Submitted on 16/01/2019 at 6:33 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 17/01/2019 at 11:50 AM


Dear cygnusgq66

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback regarding your recent experience with the Physiotherapy team as both an inpatient and outpatient at Kalgoorlie Health Campus.

I am sorry this has been such a difficult time for you and you have not had a good experience. However, we welcome the information you have provided and we will take this opportunity to thoroughly review your feedback and learn from this experience.

I have been in contact with Physiotherapy and in addition to your ongoing inpatient care an outpatient appointment will be scheduled with you prior to your discharge.

Please do not hesitate to contact Ms Helen Trunfio, Allied Health Manager on 9080 5661 should you have any further concerns.

Kind regards

Carol Erlank

A/Regional Director

WACHS Goldfields

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