This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Waiting and priority

Posted By sculptorsy79

"Waiting and priority"

About: Bunbury Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a relative),

One night recently, my elderly parent was conveyed by ambulance to Bunbury Hospital Emergency Department (ED) from their home. My parent's complaint relates to a nose bleed that lasted several hours. The treatment they received was first-rate and the health professionals were also second to none.

My issue is that my parent has had several recent Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs), heart issues and gets confused when under any sort of pressure. They were taken from the ambulance and left to sit in the ED waiting room pending availability of staff/space. Until I arrived my parent was alone and not at all comfortable with their surroundings. We waited over an hour and a half prior to admission to the ED, where my parent was treated and later released.

While I appreciate the triage system and those most in need of treatment should be seen in order, I was disappointed to see my elderly parent left in the waiting area after the ambulance paramedics saw fit to convey them to the ED.

Again, I have no issue with the staff as they did their best to treat those in need.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Denise Clement, Nurse Unit Manager Critical Care, Bunbury Hospital, WACHS South West 4 years ago
Denise Clement
Nurse Unit Manager Critical Care, Bunbury Hospital,
WACHS South West

Submitted on 31/10/2019 at 3:52 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:16 PM

Dear sculptorsy79,

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on your elderly relative’s recent presentation to the Bunbury Emergency Department and raising concerns regarding the time spent in the waiting room.

I acknowledge your concerns and that the experience was confusing and distressing for your elderly relative. It is most fortunate that you were able to come and sit with them.

The Bunbury Hospital clinical staff are aware of the increasing number of elderly people attending the hospital and the Emergency Department. It is unfortunate that, although a triage assessment was done, the aspects of your relative being elderly and at risk from being in unfamiliar surroundings, may not have been fully appreciated. I apologise on behalf of the clinical team.

In response to the increasing number of elderly and frail people presenting, a nurse has been allocated to the waiting room, to support and monitor those patients who are waiting for treatment. To date, there has been positive feedback about this.

In order for us to make further improvements, your feedback related to the actual event would be very helpful. I am unsure if the nurse was in this role at the time of your experience. I would appreciate it if you could make a time to speak to me, by calling call our Customer Liaison Officer on 97221521.

Kind Regards

Denise Clement

Nurse Unit Manager Critical Care Directorate

Bunbury Hospital

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k