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"Breastfeeding recommendations"

About: Kalgoorlie Health Campus / Emergency Department

(as a staff member),

I presented to ED in a considerable amount of pain not relieved by max daily doses of Panadol and Ibuprofen over the last week. I had fevers and hot and cold flushes due to the amount of pain I was and being unwell.

A Dr proceeded to tell me that as I declined to stop breastfeeding for 3/4 days, them and the Senior Dr would seemingly refuse to give me any pain relief and sent me home to suffer through the rest of the night in increased pain.

I reiterated the fact that I had attended because the pain had become so bad and wasn’t able to be controlled at home and I was desperate for some relief but was told that there would be no help given to me based, in my opinion, on being a woman who was breastfeeding.

1. I believe stopping BF would have caused engorgement and possible mastitis

2. I had been sick for 7 days at this stage with no improvement- my infant was also unwell so the antibodies in milk was helping with my baby's immune defence.

3. I feel stopping bf at this stage has a high chance that babe will not latch back on to the breast after.

4. It seemed I was left to suffer and be in large amounts of pain because of the doctor’s inability to seek further assistance for pain relief that is suitable for a breastfeeding mother. If this is the recommendation to a clinician then I would hate to see the advice that is given to poor mothers who are seeking help in an emergency department!

Oh they also gave me some antibiotics for what I recall they said was a viral infection.

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Responses

Response from Peter Tredinnick, Executive Director, Regional Office, WACHS Goldfields nearly 2 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Peter Tredinnick
Executive Director, Regional Office,
WACHS Goldfields

Executive Director WACHS Goldfields

Submitted on 22/08/2022 at 6:20 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 23/08/2022 at 4:50 PM


picture of Peter Tredinnick

Dear greentf69,

Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience at the Kalgoorlie Health Campus Emergency Department (ED). I am sorry that your pain relief requirements were not met. I agree that breastfeeding adds much value to the health and wellbeing of babies and mothers and I am disappointed to hear of the advice you were provided by the medical staff on this day. It is apparent there is a need for education with our staff on the benefits of maintaining breastfeeding as well as empowering staff to seek advice from their colleagues and supervisors if they are unsure about options and support available. Alicia Michalanney, the Director of the Kalgoorlie Health Campus will facilitate education for our ED staff regarding this. If you would like to speak directly to Alicia about any ideas or suggestions you have on this matter, please do not hesitate to contact her on 9080 5817 or email Alicia.Michalanney@health.wa.gov.au.

I would also like to take the chance to make sure you are aware of an escalation process we have in place at all public hospitals, including the Kalgoorlie Health Campus, that supports patients and their families and carers to call for assistance if they feel that their or their loved one’s healthcare concerns are not being addressed. This process is called Aishwarya’s CARE Call and it enables you to speak to a senior member of staff who will listen to your concerns and help you or your loved one. If you are concerned about the care you receive in hospital in the future, I encourage you to make a CARE Call on (08) 9080 5781 or use the direct-dial phone provided in the ED waiting room.

I apologise for the advice and level of care that you received on this occasion and I would like to thank you for reaching out to us, for this has given us the opportunity to address the issues you have raised and improve our services. I hope you and your baby are now recovered.

Kind regards

Peter Tredinnick
Regional Director
WACHS Goldfields

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