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Feeling dismissed paediatric emergency

Posted By cepheusnr68

"Feeling dismissed paediatric emergency"

About: Geraldton Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

Have presented my infant child twice to Geraldton Regional ED over an 8 day period for potential foreign body aspiration.

This has happened to one of my older children and I know the sound, so I felt very dismissed the first time when all the doctor did was send us home with antibiotics.

Second time we presented upon instruction of Dial A Doctor service and again, felt very dismissed as all that was done was a chest X Ray and sent home.

The last time this happened in our family the staff at another hospital sent us to Perth via RFDS as a precautionary measure because they didn't have the equipment or staff to run further tests and had we not been sent our young child could have been in trouble. Our child required surgery to remove plant matter from their lungs as a result of staff accepting the fact they may have missed something and accepted it was out of their range of care.

I feel like our only option has been to pack our things and face a long drive to Perth Children's Hospital ED and present there.

This is not good enough. In my opinion, paediatric patients should get far better treatment, especially at such a young age. 

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Responses

Response from Derek Fraser, Operations Manager Geraldton Hospital, WA Country Health Service nearly 2 years ago
Derek Fraser
Operations Manager Geraldton Hospital,
WA Country Health Service

Submitted on 30/05/2022 at 1:31 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 1:31 PM

picture of Derek Fraser

Dear cepheusnr68

Thank you for sharing your story on Care Opinion.

I was very concerned to read your story and I share your concerns. I am very sorry that you felt dismissed by staff on more than one occasion. We don’t want any of our patients or their families to be left feeling this way.

I would very much like to speak with you to ascertain what Geraldton Hospital can do to assist you before your family make a stressful journey to Perth.

My name is Derek Fraser and I am Operations Manager at the Geraldton Hospital. I can be reached on 08 9956 2369 or derek.fraser@health.wa.gov.au My colleague Dr Ranjit Paul, Director Medical Services, is also available for you to discuss your concerns and can be contacted on 08 9956 2410. I do hope we hear from you.

Yours sincerely

Derek Fraser

Geraldton Hospital Operations Manage

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Response from Jody Rolston, Operations Manager Midwest Murchison, WA Country Health Service nearly 2 years ago
Jody Rolston
Operations Manager Midwest Murchison,
WA Country Health Service

Submitted on 23/08/2022 at 6:58 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 24/08/2022 at 8:46 AM

picture of Jody Rolston

Dear cepheusnr68,

I wanted to follow up on our initial response and confirm we are still available to discuss any concerns you still have about your child's care. My name is Jody Rolston, Regional Manager Patient Safety & Quality You can call me on 9956 2217, or you can email me Jody.Rolston@health.wa.gov.au

Kind Regards,

Jody Rolston

Regional Manager Patient Safety & Quality

WA Country Health Service – Midwest

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