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Care Opinion

Square Eyes in the ED

Posted By CommonSenseMedia

"Square Eyes in the ED"

About: Geraldton Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a service user),

As a parent, I am very careful about what my kids are exposed to on the internet and TV. At a recent visit to the ED we were subjected to a show that was showing fairly graphic breast augmentation surgery along with discussions about self-esteem and body image. For me, this is majorly inappropriate considering I was attending with a child with an eating disorder threatening suicide.  As there were other people in the waiting room who I believe also didn't want to see what was on the TV, I was confident to ask the admin clerk to change the channel and they handed me the remote.  I hardly want to touch my remote at home let alone one that has been in an Emergency Department for any number of years!

Since then a close friend has also shared her story with me of her child having nightmares after a late-night visit to the ED when a horror movie was playing.

Of course, you will never be able to please all the visitors with what is on the TV but at the very least, I think it should be appropriate for all, e.g. rated general.  In the current waiting room, there is not an option to avoid TV watching but I hope this is something that had been taken into account for the redevelopment as I am sure there are many like me that would prefer to have a low stimulation environment in which to wait.

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Responses

Response from Derek Fraser, Operations Manager Geraldton Hospital, WA Country Health Service 3 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Derek Fraser
Operations Manager Geraldton Hospital,
WA Country Health Service

Submitted on 15/02/2021 at 12:18 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 16/02/2021 at 9:57 AM

picture of Derek Fraser

Dear CommonSenseMedia,

Thank you for your feedback about the programming shown on the television at the Geraldton Hospital Emergency Department (ED).

I am very sorry to hear about what happened when you and your child visited the ED and want to make sure that this doesn’t happen again. We know that our patients and their families do enjoy having the option to watch television while they are waiting, so we’re keen to explore some options that will work for everyone.

In the first instance, I will speak to one of our Health Promotion Officers to talk about the possibilities available to us, which might include producing localised videos that provide useful information about our hospital and what to expect when you visit the ED. The videos could also include information on how to provide feedback to us, along with broader and up to date community information.

In relation to your concerns about the remote control, I recognise these and would like to assure you that the remote is cleaned regularly to adhere to strict infection control requirements.

I would be very happy to talk with you about experience with you and any ideas you may have to help improve the experience of our patients and their families and carers. My name is Derek Fraser and I am the Operations Manager at Geraldton Hospital. If you would like to contact me, please call me on 9956 2369 or email derek.fraser@health.wa.gov.au.

Thank you so much again for your feedback.

Yours sincerely,

Derek Fraser

Operations Manager, Geraldton Hospital

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