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Care Opinion

Waiting to be tested

Posted By pictornz65

"Waiting to be tested"

About: Royal Perth Hospital Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital

(as a service user),

I went to Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) for Covid testing. Waited outside for an hour in the 36-degree heat. After the hour wait, a nurse came out to hand out water and sunscreen and told me that there would be another 2hr wait and that there are lots of day 11 patients, as I was a day 1 patient I should go to Sir Charles Gardener Hospital for testing as they only had three people. 

I went to Sir Charles Gardener hospital as the nurse instructed me to and had a two-hour wait outside, followed by a further hour wait inside. 

I believe it would have been quicker and less expense (car park charges at both hospitals and fuel) if I had stayed at RPH. 

In my opinion, RPH staff shouldn’t be giving out false information or presuming other clinics only had a few patients. 

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Responses

Response from Lesley Bennett, Chief Executive, East Metropolitan Health Service 3 years ago
We have made a change
Lesley Bennett
Chief Executive,
East Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 4/11/2020 at 5:16 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 5/11/2020 at 10:34 AM

picture of Lesley Bennett

Dear pictornz65,

I am sorry to hear about your experience with the Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) COVID Testing clinic and the inconvenience you encountered.

Although I am unable to respond to your specific situation I can advise the RPH COVID Clinic is currently the smallest but busiest clinic in the metropolitan area offering testing from 8am – 6pm on week days, which is 2 hours longer than other clinic sites provide. Friday COVID clinics at RPH are extremely busy as consumers in quarantine are required to obtain a further COVID test on Day 11 which falls on Fridays following interstate arrivals the previous Monday. The arrival of these consumers to the RPH COVID Clinic is directed by the WA Department of Health and the State Health Incident Control Centre (SHICC) and are not able to be staggered. The Royal Perth Bentley Group (RPBG) acknowledges the situation is not ideal and I can only assume you were directed to another clinic with the best of intentions to facilitate your test.

To minimise the difficulty in providing timely services for consumers, RPBG roster extra staff on for Friday Clinics and have erected additional marquees on the grassed area to shelter people during the warmer weather. Sunscreen and water are offered to individuals waiting in hot conditions. There are also plans to extend the Clinic waiting areas and increase the testing capacity of the Clinic.

Should you wish to discuss this matter further I would encourage you to contact our Consumer Engagement Unit on 9224 1637 or email RPBG.Feedback@health.wa.gov.au

Kind Regards

Dr Lesley Bennett

Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Group

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Response from Janet Zagari, Executive Director, Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group 3 years ago
Janet Zagari
Executive Director,
Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group

Submitted on 5/11/2020 at 6:48 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 6/11/2020 at 9:47 AM

picture of Janet Zagari

Dear pictornz65,

Thank you for feedback regarding the wait time at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital COVID Clinic.

I am sorry that it took three hours for you to be tested. At times when large numbers of patients present at the same time the wait is longer than usual, and staff work to get patients through as quickly as possible. While the outside waiting area is shaded by a verandah and tree canopy, staff understand that waiting in the heat is uncomfortable. People coming to the clinic are triaged when they arrive, and those at risk brought inside and seen as a priority. Everyone coming to the clinic is moved inside as soon as space is available whilst safely observing physical distancing requirements.

If you would like to discuss your concerns further, please contact the Consumer Liaison Service, at SCGHCLS@health.wa.gov.au or contact 08 6457 2867.

Kind regards

Janet Zagari

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