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My discharge

Posted By hekahy53

"My discharge"

About: Royal Perth Hospital / Stomach, Bowel and Liver Care (Gastroenterology and Hepatology)

(as a service user),

I was admitted to RPH recently with a bowel obstruction. I have no complaints about the treatment I received, and the nursing staff were wonderful. A few days later one evening, they informed me I was being transferred to a long term stay ward as I could be in over the weekend. I waited but was informed someone from ICU had been put in the bed.

On the morning of the following day, doctor came early in the morning and said when I opened my bowels they would take a sample and if all ok I could maybe go home. At roughly mid-afternoon, the nurse popped their head around the door and informed me I was going home. It was a complete surprise as I hadn't seen a doctor or the nutritionist that they promised me as I needed a special diet. I was going to ring my adult child when they finished work a few hours later. But the nurse informed me they had already been contacted and my child was on their way. They told me I needed to go to the transit lounge as they needed to change bedsheets, I was only dressed in a hospital gown and disposable pants so they got me some hospital greens. No one asked how I would manage at home. I live alone and I'm a senior citizen. I felt completely rushed and confused, I was not happy. Before I could get my act together the orderly was at the ward door with a wheelchair.

I have never complained about Perth hospitals before and I have been in most of them.

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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 30/09/2020 at 12:05 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:32 PM

picture of Lesley Bennett

Dear hekahy53,

I am deeply concerned to hear of your experience with Royal Perth Hospital during what must have been a stressful time for you. From your story, it sounds as if you were prioritised for the long term stay ward with the plan to discharge you home. I apologise that this was not clearly communicated to you at the time.

The Royal Perth Bentley Group is committed to providing the Safest Surgery in Australia, and is embarking upon a program of surgical transformation to ensure that more people are treated in a timely manner, as part of our vision to provide world-class surgical services. Part of the new service offering is the implementation of a world-class Surgical Step Down Unit, to ensure that patients recovering from surgery are cared for in the context of a broader multidisciplinary specialist team.

The usual protocol for discharge planning should have included a review of your ability to manage at home. This would ensure you had the appropriate diet arranged and support or support services in place, prior to being discharged. There appears to have been inadequate communication from staff and I regret this was your experience. It is also disappointing to hear you were not afforded the dignity to dress in your own clothing before being discharged from the ward. I am truly sorry you felt rushed and confused as this is not the standard of care we aim to provide.

Without specific details, I am unable to provide any further information. I would encourage you to contact our Consumer Engagement Unit on (08) 9224 1637, 8 am to 4 pm or email RPBG.feedback@health.wa.gov.au who will be able to assist in resolving your concerns further.

I hope your recovery is progressing well.

Best wishes

Dr Lesley Bennett

Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Group

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