"Hospital entry COVID protocols"

Based on my experience, the hospital protocols or rules governing entry for patients at Fiona Stanley Hospital need to be better explained by entry staff and volunteers. Over a couple of days, I found information had been conflicting, confusing and staff don't seem to want to take the time to explain hospital procedures to new patients.

Recently, I waited on crutches for several minutes while staff chatted amongst themselves. I am not denying they are working under somewhat stressful circumstances, but being a patient is also stressful.

I feel there are no clear COVID instructions nor do the front entry staff ask the appropriate questions or give clear instructions and directions on what needs to be done and where to go. Yes, there is a sign something along the lines of 'Stop- Covid Clinic this way' but was this a clinic to attend if you needed screening for Covid or for entering the hospital? I was told to go back out to the 'bus' which I later discovered was an electric cart.

Additionally over the course of a couple days, despite the fact that I felt it was obvious I was on crutches, not one staff member has asked me at any time if I needed assistance, and when I did ask for assistance I believe I was given an attitude by the staff that my request was difficult, a nuisance and time-consuming. Because of this, I felt it necessary to make my own way to the COVID clinic and the clinic where I was to receive my treatment. This also meant I travelled through the hospital un-screened (but wearing a mask). Walking on crutches, I had to hurry to get to the COVID Clinic in order to have my RATS test and make my appointed attendance at a certain time. However, I held up other patients due to my lateness.

Walking to the COVID clinic and then the clinic where I had treatment caused my pain levels to increase, my anxiety to increase, and my fatigue levels to increase. I have several chronic health conditions, including fibromyalgia, so this impacted considerably on my fatigue and pain levels. None of my chronic health conditions are obvious or visible, and I am generally independent and can manage quite well. I don't often complain about my health or ask for assistance as I don't want to be seen as a burden.