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

"Lack of experienced medical professionals"

About: Jurien Bay Health Centre

(as a parent/guardian),

Last year our then-toddler dislocated their elbow we took them to the Jurien emergency centre. Once we finally got in the nurses did an x-ray and then it had to be sent thru to Perth then we had to wait for a doctor to contact us for a teleconference about the results 

The end result was that my child dislocated their elbow. The doctor said if they were there, they could could pop in back in but they're not so they can either try to talk the nurses thru the procedure to try to relocate my toddler's elbow which is going to cause them a lot of distress or put it in a sling and it usually goes back in itself (which we chose to go with).

My point being there is a private doctors surgery right next door which has doctors that could perform these medical procedures but, as I understand it, they will not work in with the emergency centre leaving the poor nurses trying to work their way thru medical emergencies 

I believe it has been said that if you went to the doctors with a cut and need stitches you are told you need to go to the emergency centre next door, then it’s identified you need stitches resulting in a trip to Joondalup or Geraldton because we don’t have the expertise to do it.

You would think with Jurien being promoted as a future town there could be a doctor in the emergency to deal with such emergencies considering the amount of retired, elderly and families living in the area

In my opinion, the nurses in the emergency do a great job with what they have but are not supplied with a medical professional on-site to back them up.

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

Responses

Response from Russell Colyer-Cockburn, Regional Nursing and Midwifery Director, WA Country Health Service - Wheatbelt nearly 2 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Russell Colyer-Cockburn
Regional Nursing and Midwifery Director,
WA Country Health Service - Wheatbelt
Submitted on 23/05/2022 at 6:24 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 25/05/2022 at 10:56 AM


picture of Russell Colyer-Cockburn

Dear wearingem69,

Thank you for taking the time to provide valuable feedback concerning your toddler's presentation to Jurien Bay Health Centre.

I was pleased to read that you found our nursing care was of a high standard with the support of our Emergency Telehealth Service doctor, but I read with great interest your observations of the limitations of your toddler's care and treatment in this case without the physical presence of a doctor, when there is a Private GP practice next door.

I have been advised by Mr Trenton Greive, our Operations Manager for the area, that he had recently met with the Shire CEO to discuss the need for greater collaboration between the Jurien Bay Health Centre and the privately-owned GP medical centre. Mr Greive has been in contact with the company that operates the GP medical centre to arrange a meeting to explore options and how collaboratively both centres could better service the Jurien Bay Community. We would be pleased if we could use your story as an excellent example of that.

I apologise for any inconvenience from this incident caused and trust your toddler has made a full recovery.

Kind regards,

Russell Colyer-Cockburn

Acting Regional Director, Wheatbelt

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