This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"Breach of patient confidentiality"

About: Kalgoorlie Health Campus / Emergency Department

(as a relative),

I had my relative admitted to Kalgoorlie Hospital recently after a suicide attempt. There was a nurse working that day that knew of them (but did not know them) and I  believe went out of their professional zone, rang their best friend that also has nothing to do with my relative, told their friend what my relative had done and the details of it.

We have proof that the nurse had said these things after I had messaged them about it. How do I go about making a formal complaint?

My relative is completely humiliated that the nurse has done this especially this being the time they shouldn't be feeling like that. 

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Peter Tredinnick, Executive Director, Regional Office, WACHS Goldfields 15 months ago
Peter Tredinnick
Executive Director, Regional Office,
WACHS Goldfields

Executive Director WACHS Goldfields

Submitted on 11/01/2023 at 2:36 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 2:36 PM


picture of Peter Tredinnick

Dear papadh59

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to us.

I sincerely apologise that your relative has been left feeling humiliated at what must be a very vulnerable and distressing time for them. This is certainly not how we want any of our patients and families to be left feeling when they are in need of care.

An awareness and understanding of the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality is at the cornerstone of creating safe health care services built on trust and respect. It is critically important to us that when we are caring for our patients, they feel confident that their private information will not be shared without their consent. I would like to assure you that any reported breach in confidentiality is taken very seriously and is thoroughly investigated.

There are several ways you can make a complaint, which will allow us to progress with an investigation into what happened. So that we can assist and support you to do this, please make contact with Alicia Michalanney, who is our Director of the Kalgoorlie Health Campus, on 9080 5817 or by email at: Alicia.Michalanney@health.wa.gov.au. Alicia will be very happy to walk you through which ever process you wish to take.

I do hope your relative is feeling better.

Kind regards

Peter Tredinnick

Regional Director

WACHS Goldfields

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k