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

"Waiting"

About: Karratha Health Campus

(as a carer),

I have a young foster child with special needs. We have continuous behavioural issues and constantly doing therapy, medical appointments etc. They have been diagnosed with Autism, FASD, ADHD and previous epileptic etc. We are wanting to get their medication reviewed as they are getting more violent.  

The paediatrician made a semi-urgent referral to a psychiatrist. The appointment was meant to be a joint appointment with the psychiatrist and the paediatrician late afternoon recently. We went to the appointment and always know that the paediatrician seems to run overtime. An hour after my appointment time, I asked the other person sitting in the waiting room with their child if they were waiting to see the paediatrician and they said yes and their appointment was for an hour before ours.

The psychiatrist was no longer available and had other appointments. Two and a half hours after my appointment time, the other person (whose appointment was an hour before ours) went in for their appointment. We had to leave as we had another child we needed to pick up from daycare and another kid plus get ready for dinner etc. The appointment with the paediatrician and psychiatrist was rescheduled for a week's time, but on the paediatrician's annual leave - he is still going to come in. I believe the Pilbara needs more than one permanent paediatrician. In my opinion, the paediatrician is stressed, we are stressed and have to take time off work which adds more stress.  

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

Responses

Response from Liam Avery, Operations Manager, West Pilbara, WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara 3 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Liam Avery
Operations Manager, West Pilbara,
WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara

Operational Management of the West Pilbara Health Services

Submitted on 23/06/2020 at 2:39 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:28 PM


picture of Liam Avery

Dear Kjsolo,

Thank you for sharing your story and advising us of the complexities you’re all facing presently. Firstly, I would like to sincerely apologise for the joint appointment with the Paediatrician and Psychiatrist not taking place. Not only did you have a lengthy wait, but I also appreciate how difficult it must be for you to manage everyone’s care needs within the family aside from the delays with accessing services at the campus.

We have recently increased some days for Paediatric cover which also includes additional assistance from a Hedland based Paediatrician travelling to support the West Pilbara area. I have spoken with Dr Cherelle Fitzclarence, Regional Medical Director, and we both agree that, as you have also highlighted, extra service provision is required to meet the need in the region. Dr Fitzclarence has been working diligently to assess the service level, and measure any shortfall, and we both will continue towards building the proposal for additional Paediatrician time.

It is important to me that we are able to better coordinate your next appointment in order to ensure you, the Paediatrician and the Psychiatrist are all in the same place at the same time. To arrange that, I would be most appreciative of your contacting me directly: my name is Liam Avery and I am the Acting Operations Manager for West Pilbara. Please feel free to email me at liam.avery@health.wa.gov.au or call me on 9144 7630.

Your sincerely,

Liam Avery

A/Operations Manager West Pilbara

WA Country Health Service Pilbara

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