"Support and care of my late sibling"

Mixed emotions. Huge contrast in care, in my opinion.

Several months ago, my sibling entered the health system through the ED at Maroondah accompanied by me. From that date until the date of their passing a few months later, I felt we experienced the best and the worst of the public health system (read another story about this experience here).

The best being Maroondah, the staff were amazing and so caring, I can't praise them enough. My sibling was operated on that night in an emergency operation, as they had advanced Colorectal cancer and a tumour that had impacted their stomach. The tests were all alarming and the action by the doctors in ED was fairly prompt and communication continuous. My sibling required a 2nd operation within 7 days of the first one, (due to some complications and poor test results). They were in ICU at Maroondah for approx 2 weeks, and many different wards at Maroondah, 3East staff are amazing! I believe these operations definitely saved my sibling’s life. Whilst the hospital is tired and ageing (in my opinion), I can't for the most part fault the care.

Unfortunately, they never left the hospital system from admittance to their date of death. I visited my sibling almost on a daily basis so was witness to many of their frustrations. I felt my sibling had to be vigilant with monitoring medications throughout their hospital stay.

My sibling died after 4 days at another facility. I received a phone call around 3am advising me of my sibling’s passing.

All in all, I am grateful for Maroondah Hospital for saving my sibling's life and to the staff there for their care and support.