"Disappointment and frustration with hospital system"

I write this feedback to express my disappointment, frustrations, lack of faith and anger towards the Broome Hospital system, which has included the paediatrician team at the Broome specialist centre.

In brief we have seen several paediatricians over many years trying to find some answers for our child’s health symptoms, I only have just got a diagnosis 2 weeks ago by a doctor mentioning it in passing on a Telehealth phone call, longer than 12 months after bloods were taken! I was appalled that we, as the child’s parents, had not been notified immediately and directly after the results came through. I believe this would have also prevented our child from other unnecessary testing meanwhile. 

I have addressed many of my concerns for the Broome hospital system below and hope that this letter bring about some positive changes for other patients. 

1. No consistency with paediatricians

I have been dealing with the paediatric team in Broome for seven years and I don't think I have ever seen the same pead twice! (Except for Felicity, a visiting locum who was one doctor who thankfully did thoroughly investigate my concerns for my child's symptoms).

Every time we sit down for another appointment we would have to start all over again with explaining medical history to a new doctor our child's symptoms, results and tests for the last 7 years!

2. No collective medical database?

How can there not be one single data base that has all the child's health records, blood test from all pathology labs and tests from all Broome doctors to go to? I believe this would save a lot of explaining and assist other doctors to know what tests have or have not been carried out and if there needs to be any follow ups.

3. Waitlist at Broome Specialist Centre

Let's face it, I believe our own child's health is our number one priority for every parent. In my opinion, the waitlists here to see specialists is a joke. 6- 12 months for a child under 5 is a long time and in our experience, can often have massive impacts on all of the child's development. We have privately had to seek our own medical assistance for operations due to the wait times in Broome or inability to carry out the specific operations. We have privately had to seek medical help in Perth for a sleep study, iron infusion, endoscopy and removal of adenoids and tonsils!

4. No follow up of results

This would have to be my loudest cry out in the letter!

I have just been informed of a diagnosis for my child, longer than 12 months after it had been sitting in the data system! I feel this is unacceptable. It appears it was only due to default that I was informed of this diagnosis.

I had recently requested another blood test for the continuous symptoms I was investigating. (I had actually requested that this particular condition be investigated over 3 years prior to this however it seemed my request was dismissed by other paediatricians.

Thankfully I am a strong advocate for my child and persisted until I got an answer. I feel very sad for any parents that are not as pro active as myself. I hope that this letter addresses many of these concerns above and prevents other parents having to go through what we have.

A special thank you to Felicity who listened to us and put in the time to investigate our child's medical and tests results further. It was a shame she left town before we could actually thank her or be informed of the diagnosis directly from her.

I now feel relieved, relieved that I do not need to go back to the Broome Hospital system and  Paediatrics team, relieved that hopefully we can seek reliable care and professional follow up with the right specialist now at the a metropolitan hospital.