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"Answers and referrals"

About: Geraldton Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

I visited ED after being hit in the knee it was painful and not feeling quite right. After waiting over an hour to be seen, a doctor came out and examined my knee in the waiting room in front of everyone waiting there. I was then sent for an Xray, the PCA and Xray person said my knee did not look right and sent me back to the waiting room to wait for the doctor. The doctor then took me into the examine room, I recall they said that my knee was normal and that I was a tough farmer so would be okay,

However, they would send me for another xray and refer me to the orthopeadic team.

After the second xray, which was no different I was seen by a different doctor who said yes you need to be seen by the orthopeadic team and that the first doctor will give you a referral for an MRI, some pain medication and to see a orthopeadic doctor in their rooms. Doctor 1 then came out into the waiting room again, stood near me and I believe said yep I'm good to go home, someone will be in touch. They did not offer pain medication, my knee was not iced, or strapped in the hours I was at the hospital.

I was quite appalled that the doctor did the consult in the waiting room and it seemed also basically wanted to dismiss my injury because I was a 'tough farmer'. Mate I am tough, but when I have an injury, I would like it looked at and the referrals completed.

A couple of days after, my knee was getting more painful, I had not heard from anyone from the hospital so took it upon myself to call the clinic at the regional. The lady I spoke to was fabulous however when she looked at my records there was no referrals completed. She passed the information onto the team.

She then told me I have been referred to a private doctors rooms (why was I referred to a private clinic without being asked?). I called these rooms and was told they did not have the correct referral and needed more information and I needed an MRI before I can be seen.

So, at the time of writing this, I still have no answers, no referrals for an MRI or a specialist appointment.

I may be a 'tough farmer' but to work on a farm I need two good knees and I do not need to be sent home with no direction, in my opinion. I went to ED to prevent further injury to my knee by knowing what injury I have and accessing appropriate treatment.

I don't even know where I can go for this now.

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Responses

Response from Ranjit Paul, Director Medical Services, Geraldton Hospital, WA Country Health Service nearly 2 years ago
Ranjit Paul
Director Medical Services, Geraldton Hospital,
WA Country Health Service

Director of Medical Services

Submitted on 1/09/2022 at 7:45 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 2/09/2022 at 8:55 AM


picture of Ranjit Paul

Dear annoyedparent

Thank you for sharing your story on Care Opinion.

I was concerned to read of the troubles you’ve experienced in obtaining the care and treatment you require for your knee. Your story does not reflect our commitment to ensuring patients are fully informed of the next steps on their healthcare journey and are aware of what action they need to take to progress their treatment. I would like to offer my apologies that we have left you unsure of what should be occurring for you.

I would agree that having a consultation take place in a busy waiting room is not ideal, I believe this would most likely be related to a lack of available consultation rooms, if the Emergency Department was particularly busy when you attended. I would have anticipated the treating clinician to have discussed post discharge treatment and pain management; again, please accept my apologies this communication did not occur.

I would like to speak with you so I can understand fully what happened and ensure the necessary arrangements for your follow up care are made. My name is Ranjit Paul and I am the Director Medical Services at Geraldton Hospital. If you are happy to, please call me on 08 9956 2410 or email me at Ranjit.Paul@health.wa.gov.au

So that you are aware, Geraldton Hospital, along with all other public hospitals in the Midwest, has an escalation process in place to support patients and their families and carers if they feel that their own or their loved one’s health is deteriorating. This process is called Aishwarya’s CARE Call and enables the caller to speak with a senior member of staff who will listen to the concerns and seek advice and support for you or your loved one. You may notice in our Emergency Department posters about Aishwarya’s CARE Call. If you are concerned about the care you or your family are receiving in hospital in the future, I encourage you to make a CARE Call on 1800 316 729. If you want to learn more about Aishwarya’s CARE Call, you can visit: WA Country Health Service - Aishwarya’s CARE Call

I do hope to hear from you soon.

Yours sincerely

Dr Ranjit Paul

Director Medical Services

Geraldton Hospital

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