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"Poor doctor care after several ED presentations"

About: Karratha Health Campus / Surgical Services

(as the patient),

This is just a reminder for all to never take your health (or your gorgeous babies/families) for granted or never not trust yourself when you know something is wrong. I just wanted to share with all of my Karratha residents that if you or anyone you care for is unwell and you feel like you are not getting the right answers, speak up.

I have had my first and most awful experience at the Karratha Hospital recently and it will all be documented for the medical board to action as requested to do so by one of the doctors at another service where I was flown to.

To try to be as brief as possible. I was very very unwell and for a few days, I took myself back to the hospital every single day complaining of the same issues with each new day presenting more pain & discomfort. Up to day 4, I presented with some side effects to my actual issues, some of which were, I was presented with drooling; lockjaw; headaches; fever; unable to eat or drink; dehydration; back pain and more.

I felt I was genuinely laughed at (loud chuckle I believe) and dismissed by a triage nurse and told that there is nothing else they can do, it's just a sore throat. When I left I felt they said bye very easily.

The last visit on day 4, I then also took myself to a local GP that afternoon to be seen and was told I just have a bacterial infection. Was prescribed codeine & a suggested scan on jaw area. So I went home.

Day 5 around early in the morning, I woke up and lost speech and movement as well as all the above reoccurring symptoms. I dragged myself to the scan, they were worried and sent me to emergency.

Then comes the worst part.

I was taken out back to the ward and a new locum doctor I believe, obviously had seen my attendance record, very very passive-aggressively in my opinion, walks into my bed area with hands entwined, doesn't examine me at all and says that I am just having a face spasm and there is nothing else we can do, then walks off.

I was left for 25 minutes alone struggling and walked out and demanded to see another doctor before I call the medical board.

Another doctor comes in, checks me and requested an immediate CT scan. They found a lump and I was immediately taken by RFDS to another hospital as they needed immediate action. I also need follow up surgery in 3 months.

So I felt, not only was I rejected for 5 daily visits to the ED; I felt I was dismissed; shown no compassion or proper examination and it took my own self to demand treatment or I could have been very much so worse off.

I think most doctors are angels and just miracles but the 2 working at our hospital were, in my opinion, a disgrace.

Always trust your own instincts. The only reason I am posting this is to enforce trusting yourself and the reminder that not all doctors are correct or care as much as we want. Especially living regional, it's a reminder to trust yourself and take care

Lots of love and peace.

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Responses

Response from Margi Faulkner, Regional Director, WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara 4 years ago
Margi Faulkner
Regional Director,
WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara

Director of WACHS Pilbara and the lead of the Pilbara Executive Team.

Submitted on 10/02/2020 at 3:07 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:07 PM


picture of Margi Faulkner

Dear Karratha Resident,

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience at Karratha Health Campus. Your story was distressing to read and I genuinely apologise that what happened to you does not reflect the high quality and compassionate clinical care that our patients and their families and carers should expect from us.

Since your visit, we have had the opportunity to speak with you and arranged for a senior clinician to review your care. I am pleased that you attended Karratha Health Campus again to be seen by our Emergency Specialist, and that we have organised for you to be seen at Royal Perth Hospital. I hope these appointments have gone well for you.

As we discussed with you, we will investigate all elements of your experience, and will contact you to provide an update on the outcomes that we find.

We know that providing good health care is not just about treating a person’s illness, but is also about prioritising the needs and values of people so that they can feel safe and confident when they are in our care. We will be sharing your story and the outcomes with our staff, so we can all learn from this experience and improve the care that we provide for other patients and their families and carers.

Thank you again for sharing your story and I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family all the very best of health.

Kind regards,

Margi Faulkner

Regional Director

WA Country Health Service Pilbara

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