"Communication problems between hospitals"

After having been observed and treated at the Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital for a period of two weeks, my little toddler was transferred to Perth Children's Hospital (PCH) for an MRI as the paediatricians in Kalgoorlie had concerns that our child was presenting with a relatively uncommon illness!

On arrival at PCH we had to report to ED, despite being transferred we had a 4hr wait before getting into a ward and it was well after midnight that we finally got some rest - with a sick toddler I find this completely unacceptable!

The team at PCH did some bloods and an ultrasound and prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug, making a diagnosis, however, no communication was entered into with the team in Kalgoorlie to advise reasons for not doing the ultrasound.  We were discharged, asked to stay in Perth for a few days for a follow up three days later! At the follow up we discussed with the doctor that we still had concerns with our little baby's mobility and that we were still relying on anti-inflammatory to get them walking in the morning and that they were still in a significant amount of pain!

We were advised that they were happy with our child's progress and would arrange a follow up with Kalgoorlie a week later! Our little child's mobility was once again going downhill and we began taking video’s of all the things they could no longer do!

When presenting to Kalgoorlie it seemed to me that the paediatricians were shocked to find out that PCH had not conducted the requested MRI as they had no communication with PCH and given they had refused it once they ran some additional bloods and asked us to take more video footage so they were able to send us back to PCH for the MRI.

We were transferred back to PCH a week later and admitted after spending more than 6hrs in ED! An XRay of the back was done, which indicated the illness and we were finally given the requested MRI but not without having to fight for it and get the Kalgoorlie team to really push for it! The result was the diagnosis the Kalgoorlie team originally suggested!

I am extremely disappointed that there was no communication with Kalgoorlie and PCH on our first visit as I feel the team in Kalgoorlie would’ve helped push through the MRI and we would’ve had a diagnosis sooner! Considering we were transferred by Kalgoorlie I find it arrogant, extremely rude and am shocked that a “so called” world class hospital (PCH) can fail so miserably in terms of their communication policies and administration! Whilst I accept doctors can make mistakes I feel in this case both teams should’ve consulted and had this occurred we would’ve had the diagnosis sooner!

Even when we were transferred the 2nd time around and myself and my husband stressing the importance of the PCH team communicating with Kalgoorlie I was the one that was speaking to and updating the team in Kalgoorlie!

There are a multitude of gripes I have with the general care at PCH and considering I am in my third trimester I find the lack of compassion, the disregard for my health by trying to minimise stress levels, completely unacceptable!

Regional hospitals are often given a bad reputation and based on my experience I can only hope that the Children’s ward in Kalgoorlie gets a facility update as honestly I feel the care and team we dealt with there are far superior to the team at PCH!