"Best care and treatment within the South West medical system"

A few months ago, I broke my left ankle in Margaret River. My spouse, a friend and I were on a 5-day holiday from Melbourne. My spouse bundled me into the car with the help of two wonderful joggers who appeared out of nowhere. I was first in emergency that morning, luckily before many other patients started to arrive.

Within a matter of a few hours my leg had been set in a cast and I was off in the ambulance to Bunbury Hospital. I must say I was so impressed with everyone I encountered at the Margaret River Hospital. They were incredibly helpful and caring.

I was in the Bunbury hospital for a week until the swelling came down. During this time, my spouse had to fly back to Melbourne. It was a very bad break I have a plate with 7 screws on the left side and two more screws on the right and two in the middle. The Orthopaedic Surgeon, Ryan, was great. The Anaesthetist gave me a spinal that I didn't feel and the Nurses were incredible, I was treated with such great care and respect. The day after the operation I was sent to Collie Hospital to wait for my spouse to return.

Collie Hospital, I must say gave me such wonderful treatment, I was in a moon boot since the operation, the Physio who was great, helped me to get an understanding of how to navigate the crutches. I was on blood thiners and pain killers for the first few days and then the pain was minimal between 1-3. I haven't needed the pain killers since. 

After the third day I found blood coming from the top of the boot. Doctor B took the boot and dressing off and found a very small opening in the incision causing the blood leak. This was a blessing in disguise for there was infection across the ankle.

I was put on intravenous antibiotics 3 times a day for 6 days. During this time with the help of the absolutely great nurses, I was able to send the operation summary to my GP in Melbourne who was able to arrange for treatment at my local hospital. My spouse arrived in Collie from Melbourne with the news that I had to have special papers signed by the doctor before I could fly back to Melbourne. The Nurses were able to download and have Doctor B to sign the papers before our departure. Before our discharge and departure, we met with the Physio and she gave me a memory mantra for negotiating stairs with crutches that I will never forget. On my discharge I was given a shower sleeve all the dressings I would need for my first few days at home.

I can not express my gratitude enough to all the wonderful Doctor, Surgeon, Nurses and Support staff that I encountered on my three hospitals stay in the South West Medical System. I have had the best care and treatment, it has carried over with good reports from the Orthopaedic Surgeons at my local hospital.

Thank you everyone!