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"Experience with front office staff"

About: Armadale Hospital

(as a service user),

I came to your hospital recently in the afternoon and enquired as to how I could locate my friend who had admitted themselves the week before. The receptionist asked for their name which I gave. They asked for correct spelling which I also gave. They advised me that there was no patient by that name. I advised that they had come to the hospital earlier in the week. They then looked at me blankly and once again said there was no-one of that name.

They then asked for my name which I proffered and they said I wasn't NOK (next of kin). I said I knew that as I was an old friend. I then told them of a ward that my friend had messaged me they were in and the staff member then said to check other hospitals as there was no ward with that name at Armadale. I asked where the closest hospital would be. They gave no clue and I enquired if it could be Royal Perth Hospital (RPH). They then suggested that I contact RPH and ask them. As I walked away I believe they laughed.

I felt this staff member was rude, unhelpful and in my opinion, should not be front office. Another staff member standing beside them was also of little help I felt.

As it turns out my friend was admitted to your hospital and then transferred to RPH. They were heavily sedated when they called me and hence the misunderstanding of where they were.

I do, however, feel that this particular staff member be given some training in customer service as in my opinion, they are severely lacking.

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Responses

Response from Diane Barr, Executive Director, Armadale Kalamunda Group 3 years ago
Diane Barr
Executive Director,
Armadale Kalamunda Group
Submitted on 7/09/2020 at 5:23 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 8/09/2020 at 8:46 AM


picture of Diane Barr

Dear polarisen33,

Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience with front desk staff at Armadale Hospital. I would like to apologise for the experience you have described as this is not in keeping with the service we strive to provide.

It is an expectation that all staff abide by our code of conduct as well as the values of the hospital and I was disappointed to read that this was not your experience. I can imagine how distressing and worrying it would have been for you to have been advised by staff that your friend was not registered as a patient at Armadale Hospital, and I apologise that this was not conveyed to you in a respectful or helpful manner.

I would like to assure you that we take all feedback about our services very seriously and comments received enable us to review our practices to improve communication between staff, patients and their families.

I would like the opportunity to follow up with the individual identified in your story personally. To do this I would need some further detail. If you would like to discuss these concerns, please contact our Consumer Liaison Officer on (08) 9391 1153 or AKG_ConsumerLiaison@health.wa.gov.au.

I also respect you may like to remain anonymous, so please be assured the Manager of the department responsible has been made aware of your story and will be reviewing your experience with the team.

Once again please accept my apologies.

Di Barr

Executive Director

Armadale Kalamunda Group

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