This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Doctor attendance

Posted By importerkd84

"Doctor attendance"

About: Joondalup Health Campus / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

I attended ED recently as I had suspected I had broken my lower leg following a high level impact. I had broken the same leg about a year ago and the pain was identical.

After waiting to be triaged, I was taken for an xray. I did not see a doctor but a nurse who reviewed the xray said they could not see a break. I was given panadol and told to come back next week if it still hurts.

I was in a wheelchair and could not bear weight on my leg at all. I expressed my concern re this and was given crutches and told I could leave. As I couldn’t walk, I asked to be wheeled out, which they did, to my pickup.

As I was in severe pain and still could not bear weight, the next day I attended another hospital’s ED who sent me for an MRI which confirmed I had a tibia break. I later saw a private specialist who arranged treatment.

I believe the service I received at JHC ED was appalling. I feel the fact that I could not walk should have indicated to them that there was something wrong with my leg and further investigations should have been taken.

I am not complaining about the nurses as they seem to be dealing with patients to ease the overload on the doctors, but I think a doctor should have been consulted due to the severe pain and lack of mobility.

I think serious injuries like my own should be given priority over minor concerns and at the very least, a doctor should attend.

I believe by having a delay for a week for any treatment had set my recovery back and I required 8 weeks at least, of treatment.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Dr Kevin Hartley, Director of Medical Services, Joondalup Health Campus 2 years ago
Dr Kevin Hartley
Director of Medical Services,
Joondalup Health Campus

Submitted on 1/04/2022 at 1:58 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 4/04/2022 at 8:47 AM

Dear importerkd84,

Thank you for sharing your story and providing us the opportunity to respond.

In general terms, any patient who presents to Joondalup Health Campus (JHC) Emergency Department (ED) with a limb injury, will be assessed and treated by either a medical doctor or nurse practitioner. They will never be seen by only a nurse. There are always senior doctors available to consult to provide advice.

Nurse practitioners working in the JHC ED are nurses who have undertaken additional training and are qualified and credentialed in assessing and treating limb injuries independently, but always have a senior emergency doctor or orthopaedic doctor available for consultation.

If a fracture is not identified at the time of presentation, rest, analgesia and weightbearing as tolerated would be advised with follow up with a health care professional if symptoms do not improve, as some fractures may not be evident on plain films and soft tissue injuries may need a period of rest, and swelling to subside, to determine if further imaging is required.

All x-rays performed by Perth Radiological Clinic, adjacent to the ED, are reported on by specialist radiologists. These results may only be available 24 hours after the imaging had been completed, and all abnormal x-ray reports are acknowledged and followed up by an emergency medicine specialist.

JHC would like the opportunity to investigate your case. If you are willing to contact us via our liaison service, we could look into your specific case in more detail. Please call 08 9400 9672 or email consumerliaison.jhc@ramsayhealth.com.au and one of our liaison officers will get back to you.

Wishing you all the best during your recovery.

Yours sincerely

Dr Kevin Hartley

Director of Medical Services

Joondalup Health Campus

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k