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"Go home"

About: Royal Perth Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

I had a fall and was in agonising pain on my shoulder. I admitted myself at the Royal Perth Hospital (emergency ward). On explaining my condition, I was taken in and given a pain killer and made to wait. Then they took me for an X-ray which as I understand it, showed I had a broken bone. I remember the doctor said it was a nasty damage and went away. Then I was transferred to many wards till I reached the mental emergency ward who I felt forcefully said I must go home. I believe no mercy, but dictatorship I was getting as treatment. I found the staff who I dealt with all are so indirectly so rude that it made me wonder.

I felt they didn't care about my pain. It seemed to me they just wanted to send me home. Imagine, I came home with the same pain I went in. In my opinion, the system is failing us all indirectly. 

I even called the department of health who I found were of no help but I felt was in favour of the hospital. I think there's a lot of corruption not seen. Imagine when I refused to go home, I believe they indirectly were sending security around.

I came home still in so much pain with the hospital seemingly not bothered, not even the mental emergency ward. I felt all involved in my care were just interested in sending me home and apparently nothing else matters.

I came home in tears dripping to my clothes that were soaked. In my opinion, they are failing the poor people. I recall all I heard there is I can go home, even though it seemed to me the purpose I was there did not matter to them. I believe, so cruel inside their hearts yet showing they are there to serve us. All I did was cry in pain because I felt the pain killers they gave me don't work.

I hope the government sees this message and investigates as I believe that something is not right.

Based on my experience of the staff, all are thought to force me to go home and treat me like garbage if I refuse. I witnessed it.

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Responses

Response from Lesley Bennett, Chief Executive, East Metropolitan Health Service 2 years ago
Lesley Bennett
Chief Executive,
East Metropolitan Health Service
Submitted on 20/12/2021 at 4:41 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:42 PM


picture of Lesley Bennett

Dear hippoke93,

Thank you for taking the time to share your story on Care Opinion.

I was very sorry to hear you recently presented to the Royal Perth Hospital Emergency Department (RPH ED) after injuring your shoulder in a fall and acknowledge your frustration at being transferred to multiple wards. We are committed to providing the highest quality of health care for our patients, and I would like to sincerely apologise that in this instance you did not experience this.

It is also concerning to read that your pain levels were not adequately controlled and that there was a breakdown in relationship between you and the ED team. I would like to assure you that we have shared your story with the Emergency Department staff to demonstrate the importance of clear communication with patients at such vulnerable and distressing times. The Royal Perth Bentley Group (RPBG) always strives to provide excellence in healthcare for our patients and the community and I am sorry this was not your experience with our service.

We would really like to ensure that you received the treatment you needed for your shoulder, however without knowing your particular details it is difficult to comment further; however, I encourage you to discuss these concerns further with the Consumer Engagement Unit on (08) 9224 1637, 8am to 4pm or email RPBG.feedback@health.wa.gov.au so a full investigation can be completed and improvements made where necessary.

Thank you for letting us know of your experience so that we can learn and improve the care we deliver to our patients and the community.

Kind regards

Dr Lesley Bennett

Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Group

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