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Care Opinion

Lack of care given to my spouse

Posted By Heaven22

"Lack of care given to my spouse"

About: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital

(as a relative),

I felt it was absolutely a nightmare from day 1. During their 2 day (only 2 days) stay my spouse had 2 falls. 

One of those falls killed them, I had to fly them home so they could pass away with family and most importantly for them to pass away in their home town. Also, during their 2 day stay, to witness their uncontrollable pain, that took Drs and nursing staff 55 mins before they gave them pain relief, it took me 10 times to go to the nurses' station screaming for help for them. During this they were screaming out so much for help that it affected other patients to tears and us, my spouse's family.

This treatment of my spouse is totally unacceptable should never of happened. So, what should have been straightforward stay for treatment, ended with them dying due to, I believe, neglect.

I can go on with more of this story but it is too painful for us, today we should be sitting with my spouse, but we are grieving them.

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Responses

Response from George Eskander, A/Executive Director, Women and Newborn Health Service, North Metropolitan Health Service nearly 2 years ago
George Eskander
A/Executive Director, Women and Newborn Health Service,
North Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 7/09/2022 at 3:31 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:32 PM

picture of George Eskander

Dear Heaven22,

Please accept my sincere condolences at the passing of your spouse. I am so sorry to hear that our services were not able to provide the care and treatment your spouse needed to reduce their pain and that you experienced such distress when trying advocate their needs. I truly regret the suffering and trauma that you have experienced at this very difficult time especially when you were away from your home and family support. The experience you describe of your spouse’s unbearable pain and distress is not one that we would want for any of our patients to have and I will be sharing your feedback to raise awareness of how devastating this experience can be for all concerned.

You have raised an important issue regarding how as a health service we can better support families when loved ones are at the end of life and how we need to assist them to return to country to be among their family and community. I would like to assure you that we are committed to improving the experience for our patients and families who attend our services and will use feedback such as yours to assist us going forward.

I am so sorry to hear that your spouse had 2 Falls during their admission to SCGH as we know it is a risk for patients whilst in hospital especially when they are unwell. As a health service we undertake many different strategies to reduce the risk of our patients falling however it is not always possible, as there are many factors that can contribute to this occurring.

Once again my thanks for sharing your experience at a time when you and your family are grieving for your loved one, as it is only through receiving feedback like yours that we can continue to learn and improve the way we care for our patients.

Kind regards,

George Eskander

A/Executive Director

SCGOPHCG

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Update posted by Heaven22 (a relative)

I feel your response to me is unacceptable..

My spouse was not near death as I understand it.

And also there was things in place after the first fall. My spouse was placed in a sensor bed. But as I understand it, they were taken out of their bed put on to a chair and left.

Which I feel is totally unacceptable. I should have been taking them home to recuperate, not to die. Then lied to, in my opinion, from the staff.

Response from George Eskander, A/Executive Director, Women and Newborn Health Service, North Metropolitan Health Service nearly 2 years ago
George Eskander
A/Executive Director, Women and Newborn Health Service,
North Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 9/09/2022 at 2:29 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 2:55 PM

picture of George Eskander

Dear Heaven22,

I’m so very sorry that you believe the staff lied to you and I would value the opportunity to investigate those things that you feel were untrue.

Whilst this is an anonymous platform, the details you have shared bear close resemblance to a patient who recently passed away whilst on the ward having been transferred for palliative treatment from another hospital. I understand that the pain resulting from their condition led to a traumatic passing and if this was your spouse, I am deeply sorry for your loss and the distress you experienced, and continue to experience. While the similarity is there, without being able to speak with you, I am unable to confirm with certainty that this was your spouse.

I would like to be able to respond to your concerns about the care provided to your spouse. This is not something I am able to do on a public platform due to patient confidentiality. I urge you to contact our Consumer Liaison Service either via email CLS@health.wa.gov.au or call 08 64572867 to share your spouse’s details so that we can review the care provided to them which will enable us to respond to the concerns you have raised about their care. We can then arrange to follow up with you directly, either in person, via telephone or provide you with a written response.

I would also like to be able to connect you to support services that may help you in this difficult time.

Warm regards,

George Eskander

A/Executive Director

SCGOPHCG

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