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"Pregnancy scare"

About: Newman Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

Some months ago, I presented to the Newman hospital late morning and was currently 11 weeks pregnant. I had just been at the park with my child when suddenly I had a gush of blood has come from between my legs. I was in shock at how much I was bleeding. Soaking my clothes, running down my legs to leave a puddle of blood on the ground. Directly after this is when I’ve presented to Newman hospital to seek medical treatment. 

When I got there I had explained my situation and was given maternity pads to put on and admitted to a bed. When the DR had arrived, one of the first questions they asked me if I had rung my obstetrician yet (which is 1,000km away). I have then said no I haven’t had time to, I have driven straight here to get help as I’m unsure of what is going on.

The Dr had proceeded to try to understand what I have just been through and then told me there wasn't much they could do for me as they didn't have a sonographer for 4 more days. After when they left the room to organise a blood test (which got done but never received results for). 

I have rung my OB to explain the situation and my recollection is that without hesitation said to me that I need to get out of Newman as the amount of bleeding I’m having can put me in danger with a potential miscarriage. Not only did my OB tell me this, I believe they also had a conversation on the phone telling the doctor on the ward this.  

In my opinion, the Dr finally gave in as they realised there was nothing else they could do for me and rang through to Hedland. For some reason, I believe they had explained the situation to them that my bleeding had slowed down. I’m not sure how they came to this conclusion, because if anything it had gotten worse as I started having blood clots. I was then told that because of this information that they just wanted me to stay the night to ‘monitor me’. 

This was not happening. 

I was so angry and upset about this as it felt like Newman hospital were doing absolutely nothing for me. Four and a half hours later, I had decided to discharge myself and sign forms so I could fly to Perth (as it was quicker than driving to Hedland) to get the help and answers I needed. 

What I don’t understand is that when I presented to a hospital in Perth, they took me in straight away, not only did blood tests to test my haemoglobin levels and got told those results, they did an internal examination. This was also something that I understand could have been done in Newman to give me some peace of mind before getting in for an ultrasound. 

I'm so disappointed by the treatment I received from Newman hospital that day. The amount of blood I had lost in that hospital and that they had no idea why I was bleeding and gave me no answers, concerns me for myself and many people that present to emergency to receive medical treatment and, in my opinion, potentially their lives (or in my case my baby's also) at risk.

I understand in Newman we don’t always have the facilities and people to help everyone, but this is why we have things as such as RFDS to get help when needed. In my opinion, there is such a high amount of pregnant ladies in Newman with such little care for us, and something like having a full time sonographer here in town can be a massive help with our pregnancies and I'm sure a lot of other cases.

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Responses

Response from Lisa Smith, Executive Director, West Pilbara, WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara 2 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Lisa Smith
Executive Director, West Pilbara,
WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara
Submitted on 21/06/2021 at 4:35 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:36 PM


Dear jupiterjy43,

I am so sorry that your experience with the Doctor in the Emergency Department left you angry and upset and feeling that nothing was being done for you. I can understand why you felt so disappointed with the treatment that you received that day at Newman Hospital, and want to thank you for taking the time to share your story.

I would also like to apologise to you for the lack of care you received from the Doctor and assure you that this is not the level of care that we expect from our Medical Staff.

I will be following up on your concerns with our Regional Medical Director to ensure that the Medical Staff at Newman Hospital are aware and compliant with the emergency measures required in a presentation such as yours. The correct procedure is to seek further consultation via phone or video conference with Specialists at Hedland Health Campus or King Edward Memorial Hospital. Medical Staff are then expected to arrange early transfer to the most appropriate larger hospital, as early as necessary, according to the patient’s risk profile.

We currently have a Sonographer in Newman two full days per week. Unfortunately, this does mean that there is a five-day period each week where there is not local access to a Sonographer. This is why it is essential that women are transferred early to a larger hospital if they require an Ultrasound. We regularly review the demand for these services in our hospitals, including in Newman, and increase the availability when required.

Newman Hospital has recently employed a midwife to support the antenatal and postnatal phases of pregnancy for the women of Newman. This was in response to extensive consultation with the women of Newman. We are actively seeking to promote this service to the women of Newman, and I would encourage you to be a part of the ongoing consultations for that service; I can put you in contact with the service lead if you want to contact me.

I would like to discuss your experience with you further, and provide feedback on my investigations as outlined above, and so invite you to contact me. My name is Lisa Smith and I am the Operations Manager West & Inland Pilbara. You can contact me on 08 9174 7639, or my email is Lisa.Smith3@health.wa.gov.au

Kind regards

Lisa Smith

Operations Manager, West & Inland Pilbara

WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara

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