My child recently broke their arm and after initial treatment in Broome ED they were referred for review and follow-up to another hospital's Orthopaedic team via Telehealth.
Whilst I appreciate the specialist review and input in my child's care I have to say that I felt the entire set up is not very patient-centred and potentially hazardous. Without a clinician actually in the room with us, the review relied entirely on the X-ray and the report given by myself and my child. For example, we had recognised that their initial plaster had become loose (impossible to review via Telehealth and relies on self assessment by patient/carer) we consequently were directed to ED for adjustment of the plaster - this meant we had to get triaged again and since it obviously wasn't an urgent matter ended up waiting before having to share the result of our review with the local staff who I believe had no communication from the other hospital's doctor.
Similar events happened on our next reviews. While my child received overall good care, I believe there should have been a fracture clinic nurse or similar with us. I felt this would provide both better clinical assessment as well as much more effective and patient-centred care (I believe avoiding repeat ED presentations with associated need for repeating of stories and long waiting times).
"Telehealth services"
About: Broome Health Campus / Emergency Department Broome Health Campus Emergency Department Broome 6725 Telehealth Service - WACHS Kimberley Telehealth Service - WACHS Kimberley Broome 6725
Posted by Busy parent (as ),
Do you have a similar story to tell?
Tell your story & make a difference ››
Responses
See more responses from Bec Smith