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Wait times when you're a Carer

Posted By browsertk63

"Wait times when you're a Carer"

About: Royal Perth Hospital / Breast Cancer Care & Support

(as a carer),

I am the primary carer for my wife who is being treated for breast cancer.

We are receiving Chemo infusion no. 4 of 6, so are just over half way there!

Due to COVID restrictions, I am not permitted to attend with my wife so have to wait outside (there are no chairs, tables or any other form of remote comfort provided) so I usually pop into the city and wait.

My main cause of concern is the time it seems to take for the treatment to take. As an example, my wife's appointment is set for a certain time so I drop her at the main entrance 15 minutes before the appointment whilst I find a parking spot and somewhere to wait.

She is generally 'seen to' 15 minutes after the appointment time but this is just to 'check-in' and she has been informed her actual appointment for the infusion is for nearly two hours later (2 hours of wasted time in my opinion), but staff seem to be generally running late and her actual time of treatment is 3 hours after she arrives.

The infusion usually takes 45 mins to an hour, so she won't be out until what amounts to 4 hours for what I believe should and could be (if, in my opinion, people can sort their act out!) just a 1-hour appointment, so please tell me why I have to take half a day off every three weeks when I believe I could just take an hour?

Oh, by the way, the last treatment, three weeks ago was wonderful as it only took about 90 mins, but I believe the Hospital was being audited at the time, so maybe that's why it seemed to run so smoothly?

Thanks.

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Responses

Response from Lesley Bennett, Chief Executive, East Metropolitan Health Service 3 years ago
Lesley Bennett
Chief Executive,
East Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 10/08/2020 at 11:37 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:12 PM

picture of Lesley Bennett

Dear browsertk63,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story. I am deeply sorry to hear that the current restrictions imposed by the Health Department to address the COVID-19 situation are causing additional stress during an already difficult time for you and your wife.

Although we continually strive to improve the care of our vulnerable patients I acknowledge there are times when we could do better. You have raised an important point in the way we ensure patients are ready for chemotherapy and I am sure we can seek to improve this by considering the use of telehealth the day before chemotherapy so that the medication can be prepared and the time delay minimal. I have discussed this with the Director responsible for this area and she will be looking into making this smoother and better for our patients.

I do appreciate you making contact, if you would like to discuss this further, please contact the RPBG Consumer Engagement Unit on 9224 1637, 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday or email RPBG.Feedback@health.wa.gov.au

I wish your wife all the very best with her ongoing care.

Kind Regards,

Lesley Bennett

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Update posted by browsertk63 (a carer)

Thanks, Lesley.

I am pleased to see you have escalated what could be seen as a low-priority issue. (after all, this is about me, more than my wife!) So I will be keen to see if things change this week, when my wife is due for her next chemo infusion!

I will be keeping track of how you (RPH) progress and will, of course, let you know how you perform.

Many thanks.

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