"Experience in Emergency Department"

After a particularly bad bike fall, I took my child into Albany Emergency Department after GP advice. We arrived in the afternoon and were taken into the department fairly quickly where we saw a doctor. I was unsure if they were a qualified doctor or in training as they displayed no badge or identification. I assume they were a doctor in training.

Sam, our nurse, was very friendly and efficient. The doctor checked and consulted, then returned, checked some more, and then consulted with another doctor again. So far we’d been at ED for 1.5 hours. This first doctor then sent my child for X-rays; Christian the orderly was very considerate of my child’s injuries on the way to and from radiology. After we returned to ED, a different doctor (Doctor John) came to let us know that my child’s X-ray showed some injury but it was difficult to rule out any serious spine injury completely. He said he wanted to be sure and he sent my child for an MRI. John communicated things very clearly,  and as a parent I felt very reassured by his obvious knowledge and experience.

Later in the evening, Doctor John returned and explained very clearly what the MRI showed, that he had spoken to the spinal unit and informed us that my child had stable spinal fractures and how it was to be managed. Although our ED visit was six hours long, and unfortunately the water dispenser was empty and we weren’t offered a drink until hours later, I left feeling that my child’s injuries were treated very seriously and that Doctor John took the time to fully ensure that my child's injuries were fully investigated. 

Thank you John, Sam and Christian - you have given me great confidence in Albany ED. 

To the doctor who met with us initially, wash your hands. :D