"Poor staff and equipment"

I am writing to complain about the treatment of my child, who my parent took into Swan Hill Casualty with possible appendicitis, which my parent told them we were concerned about. Doctors took blood tests and a urine sample and my child was sent home and my parent was told to bring them back for an ultrasound, which I took them in for but the ultrasound was inconclusive due to them not having a full bladder. I believe my child was dehydrated. I recall the doctors continually telling me it was gastro but we felt we knew it was more serious than that and I stated that no one else had gastro at home but then they were telling me that meant nothing and that can happen.

We were there from about midmorning until late afternoon when they decided to do an X-ray and as I understand it, they found fluid near my child's bowel and still continued to tell me it was gastro. It seemed to me it was only questioned and followed up further after someone they were consulting with over the phone felt the fluid that was found should be investigated and they then made arrangements for my child to be flown to another hospital and we were flown by plane where I remember even the doctors onboard were telling me it could be gastro.

Arriving at the other hospital late that night and I remember that even they were saying it could be gastro. The hospital didn’t start their investigations until late the next day with surgery not for 2 days later, I think this was due to Swan Hill filling in ambulance drivers etc.

My complaint is due to what I see as your beliefs and diagnoses that I feel could have cost my child their life. In my opinion, due to poor equipment at the hospital and lack of experienced medical teams.

At one point I recall the doctors told the cleaning staff to clean the cubicle as my child's got gastro, and I was constantly told this the entire day at Swan Hill even after admitting them for observation. Casualty put a line in ready for a drip but my child was then transferred to the ward and it didn’t happen. I became frustrated and very upset as I felt I knew there was something seriously wrong. It seemed to me that all they did there was give my child some hydrolytes in a cup to drink (being for gastro) and did not start to rehydrate them at all after putting the line in.

After presenting to Swan Hill with possible appendicitis which I believe should have been X-rayed that night in case of rupture but there was no staff or after hour staff to carry this out. Then when the ultrasound was done it couldn’t be done properly due to not having a full bladder. I feel it is appalling and I or any of my children will not be attending the Swan Hill Casualty dept again for any medical emergencies, instead we will take our chances and go elsewhere. I believe it is a frightening experience to know that we rely on these services and take risk with our lives to attend the Swan Hill Hospital.

My child’s stomach was a mess and it was an extreme medical emergency due to a perforated appendix. I suggest reading the report from the other hospital for the extent of my child's condition.