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Brain bleed after a fall

Posted By pepperyn63

"Brain bleed after a fall"

About: Albany Health Campus / Medical and Children's Ward

(as a relative),

My parent was in hospital for a bad case of shingles. 

Staff at Albany health campus left them alone for half an hour at least. During this time, I understand they fell out of bed and hit their head and kidneys. My parent suffered a brain bleed and I believe was not found for half an hour. 

There was no apology or explanation from staff.

My parent was transferred to Perth where they received wonderful care from another hospital. 

My parent passed away as a result of an “unexplained” brain bleed.

Have requested documentation from the Freedom of Information officer at the hospital which I feel is taking an extraordinarily long time which leads me to believe the fall was not documented. 

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Responses

Response from Juan Clark, Operations Manager, Operations, Albany Health Campus, WACHS Great Southern 2 years ago
Juan Clark
Operations Manager, Operations,
Albany Health Campus, WACHS Great Southern

Submitted on 14/10/2021 at 12:01 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:03 PM

Dear pepperyn63,

Thank you for contacting me via Care Opinion in regard to your parent's experience at Albany Health Campus and I would like to offer you my sincere condolences during this very difficult time. I am sorry for the distress and hurt that the loss of a close family member has caused you and your family.

I am also very sorry that you didn't receive an apology or explanation from staff around the circumstances of your parent's fall and ongoing care.

On the occasion that a patient in our facility experiences a fall, it is our expectation that their care needs are responded to immediately. Our policies are also clear that all falls are to be reviewed thoroughly by the treating team in order to gain a clear understanding of the cause of the fall and to identify any further steps that may be needed to prevent further falls and injury. I would have expected that your parent and yourself- as a family member - would be have been kept fully informed of the steps being taken throughout this review process so that you would be both aware of what has happened and that you have an understanding about what changes have been made as a consequence. I am very sorry if this didn't occur for you and your family, and if you have been left with questions about your parent's care.

Your experience has identified a number of areas that are very concerning and I want you to know that I would like to work with the relevant clinical team to make sure that a full investigation has taken place. In order to do this though I will need you to please contact me so I can get further information from you, which will help me to complete this investigation, and to support your Freedom of Information request. If you could contact me on my direct extension, 9892 2325, or email me at juan.clark@health.wa.gov.au it would be greatly appreciated.

Please know that we are committed to ensuring that you are included and informed about the circumstances of your parent's treatment and care. I hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regards,

Juan Clark

Albany Health Campus Operations Manager

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by pepperyn63 (a relative)

I believe it is even more apparent now that there is seemingly no communication whatsoever between staff at AHC.

I have been contacted by a person from the campus. That person has advised the process yet to happen.

I feel, perhaps better communication should be paramount in this investigation.

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