"Always cared for on multiple admissions"

It is said that it never rains but pours. Since the middle of March I have had to attend at the Bunbury Regional ED for three separate events; two walk-ins and one by ambulance. Two of these attendances occurred in the middle of the night, the third late afternoon. Two attendances required that I stay in the hospital; Short Stay, for one, Surgical Ward for the other.

Whilst it seems to me that the media has a propensity to report negatively on the health system, I have to shake my head in disbelief, wondering why I did not experience long waits, ambulance ramping; am I missing out? Three out of three is a pretty good result in my book.

On all attendances I was administered a COVID RAT test; triaged promptly and received prompt and appropriate treatment.

On all three occasions all the staff who treated me, Doctors, nurses and PCAs were professional, working as a team, treating me as a person engaging me in meaningful conversations continually keeping me informed of the processes that were needed, pathology and imaging, informing me of results, findings and options available to me. I was fully engaged in the decision process throughout; what treatment was I happy with, did I want to be admitted, would I be safe at home, I am fully aware, that on each occasion second and third opinions were sought from staff working at Bunbury and Fiona Stanley.

I would like to thank the staff of Bunbury ED, Short Stay and Surgical Ward for the work they do, every day and especially for the treatment I personally received.

I believe some may read this and say, given the state of health system the media portrays, I was lucky. I personally think that I am lucky; lucky to have access, 24/7, to a professional health facility staffed by people who care.