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"Belated Coeliac Diagnosis"

About: Karratha Health Campus

(as a parent/guardian),

For a long time, I could tell that my child was struggling and felt helpless as we were not near a diagnosis for anything. Over this period they were getting tired easily, suffered from an iron deficiency and was always exhausted, plus this affected their height as they were not absorbing the right nutrients. 

My child was diagnosed 6 years ago with a Coeliac disease after visiting the paediatrics doctor in Karratha. However, not one person had told us or, in my opinion, bothered to get in touch to give us the results of my child's visit.

We persisted to see a doctor again as my child was still not well and were also hoping to give them growth hormone before they grew too old to receive the hormone. We were referred to a paediatrician once again.

My child is now a teenager and we have been told that they were diagnosed 6 years ago but nothing came of it. I believe if the results were given at an earlier stage, we would have been able to provide them with the right nutrients and perhaps been able to give them a growth hormone and protect their body.

We are disappointed and angry that this important finding was not disclosed to us and that my child has continuously suffered and now they are showing signs of depression as they realise they have lost their window of opportunity.

After my child's endoscopy, the doctors revealed that there are signs of damage.

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Responses

Response from Rhiannon Hosking, A/Operations Manager, West Pilbara, WA Country Health Service, Pilbara 3 years ago
Rhiannon Hosking
A/Operations Manager, West Pilbara,
WA Country Health Service, Pilbara
Submitted on 8/02/2021 at 10:19 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 10:20 AM


picture of Rhiannon Hosking

Dear gammaez74,

I am so sorry to hear about the possible breakdown in communication between our clinicians and your family around a diagnosis of coeliac disease for your child at Karratha Health Campus.

We want to ensure your child is receiving the care they need now and in the future and to learn more about what happened. So that we can do this, we would greatly appreciate it if you could please contact Dr Cherelle Fitzclarence, who is our Senior Medical Officer at Karratha Health Campus. Dr Fitzclarence’s number is (08) 9144 765 and her email is cherelle.fitzclarence@health.wa.gov.au

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and I do hope that we hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely,

Rhiannon Hosking | A/Operations Manager West Pilbara

WA Country Health Service Pilbara

Karratha Health Campus

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Response from Rhiannon Hosking, A/Operations Manager, West Pilbara, WA Country Health Service, Pilbara 3 years ago
Rhiannon Hosking
A/Operations Manager, West Pilbara,
WA Country Health Service, Pilbara
Submitted on 10/02/2021 at 12:44 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:59 PM


picture of Rhiannon Hosking

Dear gammaez74,

It has come to my attention the phone number listed for Dr Cherelle Fitzclarence is incorrect.

The correct number is 08 9144 7565. Please accept our apologies for this error.

Yours sincerely

Rhiannon Hosking | A/Operations Manager West Pilbara

WA Country Health Service Pilbara

Karratha Health Campus

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