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Care Opinion

Communication during change of service

Posted By hydrasg93

"Communication during change of service"

About: Bunbury Hospital / Outpatients Clinic

(as the patient),

I have recently been referred to the hospital haemotology outpatients clinic as our only blood cancer specialist in Bunbury is no longer seeing patients. I understand there is no other option other than travelling to Perth. 

I have just rec'd my appt time. Not until June. 

I will have almost run out of my medication and as it is a telephone consult and I have no idea how I get a prescription. 

Also, no idea how the doctor gets my blood pathology results before the consult as I have received no pathology request form to allow me to have bloods taken.

So much for seemingly patient-centered care... I believe if I wasn't proactive enough to find out the details myself I'd be very sick. In my opinion, can't rely on our health system.

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Responses

Response from Ceri Elliott, Director of Nursing & Midwifery, Bunbury Hospital, WACHS South West 2 years ago
Ceri Elliott
Director of Nursing & Midwifery, Bunbury Hospital,
WACHS South West

Submitted on 11/04/2022 at 1:08 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:01 PM

picture of Ceri Elliott

Dear hydrasg93,

Thank you for reaching out to us regarding your issues with your appointment. I apologise that these changes have not been well communicated to you, leaving you short of your required medications.

In order for me to assist you with this issue, can I ask that you make contact with me by phone at your earliest convenience. My name is Ceri Elliott and I am the A/Director of Nursing and Midwifery. I can be reached on 0447 793 904 anytime during the day.

I look forward to talking with you to assist you with this issue.

Kind regards

Ceri Elliott

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Renny Carroll, Outpatient Manager, Coastal and Inland Districts, WACHS South West 2 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Renny Carroll
Outpatient Manager, Coastal and Inland Districts,
WACHS South West

Submitted on 11/04/2022 at 4:38 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:48 PM

Dear hydrasg93,

Thank you for providing feedback on your recent experience with the haematology outpatient clinic at Bunbury Hospital. I have reviewed your case and can appreciate your concern regarding the timing of the appointment and the requirement for blood tests and a new medication prescription. I also note your concern regarding the communication of this information.

Your private haematologist provided a comprehensive handover to the public haematologist at Bunbury Hospital, including recent blood test results, scans and recommended treatment regime. The public haematologist triaged the referral and considered it appropriate for a follow up telephone consult in June, noting that blood tests were not required. Normally when an initial appointment is booked, a letter is sent to the patient outlining the appointment details, however, it has not occurred in this case as the appointment was booked as a follow up (which is sent out via text message).

I apologise that this has not been a smoother transition for you and I will follow up with the team to ensure that this does not occur for other patients. Please note we have scheduled your appointment for an earlier date and converted it to a face to face consult with the haematologist.

Hydrasg93, your care is very important to us, so if you would like to discuss the issue further, please contact myself, Renny Carroll on 0403 936 161 or the Cancer Services Clinical Nurse (Ashlene Foxcroft) on 0448 928 112. Once again, thank you for providing feedback on this issue, as it gives us an opportunity to make improvements to our service delivery and meet the needs of our patients.

Renny Carroll

Senior Project Officer - Outpatient Reform

WA Country Health Service – South West

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Renny Carroll, Outpatient Manager, Coastal and Inland Districts, WACHS South West nearly 2 years ago
We have made a change
Renny Carroll
Outpatient Manager, Coastal and Inland Districts,
WACHS South West

Submitted on 24/05/2022 at 3:32 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:13 PM

Dear hydrasg93,

Thanks again for your providing feedback on your experience with the haematology outpatient clinic at Bunbury Hospital and discussing the issue with the Cancer Services Clinical Nurse. I have met with the haematology team and a plan has been put in place to ensure a smooth transition between the private and public haematology clinic.

If you would like to discuss the issue further, please contact myself, Renny Carroll on 0403 936 161 or the Cancer Services Clinical Nurse (Ashlene Foxcroft) on 0448 928 112.

Regards

Renny Carroll

Senior Project Officer - Outpatient Reform

WA Country Health Service – South West

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

Update posted by hydrasg93 (the patient)

Dear Renny,

Thank you for your reply.

I have decided to revert back to the private system as there is (apparently, I've not been yet) now a haematologist available in Bunbury each Friday.

I think the hospital system is - necessarily - focused on acute care (emergencies), not chronic care.

My situation is one which requires ongoing monitoring and clear communication.

After my initial teleappt (teleappt due to covid problems - not mine!) with the hospital haemo I remain unconvinced that the communication systems are adequate. (I can supply further details but not on this forum.)

This is in no way the fault of any individual. Everyone I have spoken to has been as helpful as is possible under the current circumstances.

I believe the public health system is presently evidently underfunded and overstretched.

Thank you for your time.

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