"Treatment at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital"

Our whole experience of our Charlie’s from beginning to now has been exceptional.

Our journey started with treatment at another hospital that missed my adult child's bleed on their brain and left us waiting for an MRI in outpatients. There was a cancellation and we were booked in recently on a Friday for an MRI. The radiologist told my child they had a bleed in their brain and that they would call the other hospital and have the neurological team call us. We sat and waited about an hour or more, the radiologist asked if they had called us, I said no, I asked is it still bleeding? They came out and sat with us and said no and that my child is ok for now, then the radiologist called them again - so waiting for about an hour and a half in total - when the doctor called us, said it was nothing to worry about and that we would be followed up in outpatients the following week. I told the doctor I was very concerned and should we present to Charlie’s? The doctor said no, nothing to worry about. So we went home, packed a bag just in case and went for an early dinner.

During dinner, one of your doctors called us saying not to worry, but they would like to examine my child in person and asked if we could go to Charlie’s ED and they would be expecting us. I thanked the doctor and told them how relieved I was that my child would be getting a review for the bleed on their brain.

We presented to ED where your COVID nurse warmly greeted us and took us straight through to triage. The triage nurse also greeted us warmly and took my child's history, performed observations and said they were expecting us and that they were looking for a bed. We waited 4 minutes or so and were taken into the ED by Zoe who I remember as a previous student of mine, she again was sunshine! Zoe took us though the ED and to my child's bed, where we were again greeted by a nurse (I think Margie), who introduced herself, gave my child the gown and performed the obs - again, so warm and reassuring her manner, the same as all before her- we felt safe.

Within a couple of minutes, we were warmly greeted by I think the ED consultant, Susan, I think was her name. Susan performed the neurological assessment and found something no one else did - my child's right side was less coordinated than the left - Susan finished her assessment and then we were referred to the neurosurgical team. Her assessment was very thorough and she communicated really well and again, we felt really safe.

Again, we waited a very short period of time for a female neuro doctor who I forget her name (young, blonde European I believe) who explained that my child had, in fact, two bleeds and that they will keep them in and watch them on G52. Again she explained, her manner was reassuring and we knew we were in the best possible place.

Everyone from our ED experience was on the game and explained to us what had happened and what the initial plan would be. Our journey to G52 was provided by Lewis who again, introduced himself to us and his kind and friendly manner were lovely- we chatted all the way there.

On arrival, it was late at night, we were met by nurse Rachel who I told her my fears of my child's bleeds being missed and my fear they may have another. Rachel was magic! She assured me she would look after my child, I cried and left. In the morning I spoke to my child who said Rachel was amazing, she did the full neuro obs every two hours, she was just lovely and my child felt safe - I was relieved.

We have since had Sharlet, Yana, Les, Maggie, Rodger, Tony, Katie, who again, all introduced themselves, we have had a laugh with each and every nurse we have encountered, giving us exceptional care for the duration of our stay. The nursing care was exceptional - warm, friendly, smiling, professional and a real human touch. And also to every other nurse that was not involved directly in my child's care- I thank you for your kindness in every interaction we have had. 

The care assistants (people in grey) have all been amazing too! From offering bickies and cheese to ensuring my child had anything they had to offer; just amazing! The kindness just keeps on going, I may have trouble getting my child to go home!

I have not been here when the ward doctors have been here but my previous exposures have been overwhelmingly positive.

Each and every person we have encountered during our health crisis has made a terrifying experience bearable, and most importantly, we have felt safe from the moment we entered your doors.

Please ensure all these amazing people know the profound impact they have made on us and that no matter what their role in our stay was, each and every one of them we appreciate you all and will not forget this.