My husband was involved in a motorcycle accident in Regional WA. Ambulance was called and GPS location provided. Ambulance arrived at site and treated my husband who was conscious and able to give the paramedic information about his situation.
My husband was placed in the Ambulance and those in attendance were told that he would be conveyed to the Geraldton Regional Hospital. Contact was made with myself and the accident explained and that could I meet my husband at the Geraldton Regional Hospital. I attended the emergency department at the hospital at 12noon and waited for the ambulance.
An hour and a half later no ambulance arrived and contact was then made with the Northampton Hospital and I received details that my husband was deceased while sitting in the grounds of the Geraldton Regional Hospital and my husband was at the Northampton Hospital. The delivery of the details by a hospital staff member who did not have a good grasp of English or compassion was, I felt, cold and unacceptable. My adult child picked me up from the Geraldton Regional Hospital and we contacted the Northampton Hospital to say that we were on our way to Northampton and was my husband still going to be at the hospital in 30 to 40 minutes. The answer was yes.
We passed an ambulance half way to Northampton and when we arrived we were meet by Police and 2 nurses. The Police were outstanding in their manner and supportive and provided details of what was required from myself. I was grateful for their involvement. I felt information of what happened to my husband was scarce except the details of the ambulance arriving and that staff were unable to have resuscitation equipment ready to receive my husband.
He was pronounced deceased by the means of video link as there is no Doctor present at the Northampton Hospital. It was devastating news made worst by not being able to have a discussion with emergency staff to have an understanding of what had gone horribly wrong. I felt the 2 nurses present were not helpful and 1 nurse could not be understood.
We were told that there had been a shift change and the staff that were present when my husband was brought in were no longer on duty. What communication is there between ambulance and hospital and why did the ambulance go to Northampton Hospital when it seemed there is no Doctor or an emergency department available at the Hospital. Weeks have passed since my husband's death and this particular matter brings great grief to the family still, as there has been no explanation received and we cannot understand how it took the Family over 2 hours to locate our loved one at a location that I believe could not assist in support for life.
"Emergency services and care for my deceased spouse"
About: Midwest Health Midwest Health Geraldton 6530 Northampton Hospital / Emergency Department Northampton Hospital Emergency Department Northampton 6535 St John Ambulance WA St John Ambulance WA Belmont 6104
Posted by stonefz33 (as ),
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