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Lack of emergency test availability

Posted By phasejm78

"Lack of emergency test availability"

About: Sutherland Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a carer),

My partner injured their calf muscle. They were told after a 7hr wait that they needed an ultrasound to determine the internal damage however the ED did not have access to an ultrasound. 

I don't understand how an ED can not have the equipment required to diagnose an emergency injury .

I am also not happy about the 7hr wait. I believe it's due to being short staffed. 

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Responses

Response from Vicki Weeden, General Manager, The Sutherland Hospital & Garrawarra Centre 13 months ago
Vicki Weeden
General Manager,
The Sutherland Hospital & Garrawarra Centre

Submitted on 6/03/2023 at 4:22 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 7/03/2023 at 11:23 AM

picture of Vicki Weeden

Dear phasejm78,

Thank you for taking the time to tell us of your experience at The Sutherland Hospital. You have not stated the time your partner presented, however, I can advise that ultrasound services at Sutherland Hospital are available from 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours, there is an on call service which is available for urgent cases only and the majority of non-life threatening conditions will be referred to outpatient ultrasound providers.

In NSW Emergency Departments, patients are triaged and seen according to the clinical urgency of their condition. During busy times, people with less urgent conditions may have longer wait times. This may be due to large numbers of seriously unwell patients being prioritised for emergency care. I apologise for the distress caused in waiting a long time without receiving a diagnosis of the injury.

I am sorry your partner’s presentation did not meet your expectations on this occasion. Should you wish to provide your partner’s details, their presentation can be thoroughly reviewed. If so, please contact Ms Valmai Ciccarello, Consumer Feedback Manager, on SESLHD-TSH-Consumerfeedback@health.nsw.gov.au or by phoning (02) 9540 8523.

Thank you

Vicki Weeden

General Manager

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Update posted by phasejm78 (a carer)

I'm a nurse and understand the priorities. We presented at night time but were not seen until the following morning..

My partner could not walk on their leg with a queried torn ligament.

I understand that all hospitals are short staffed.

I also understand that the imaging department is privatised therefore limited hours of service.

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