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Care Opinion

Motorbike accident

Posted By delphinusmx96

"Motorbike accident"

About: Royal Perth Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

Recently, my adult child was taken to royal perth for a motor bike accident. 

My child had sustained multiple injuries and multiple broken bones surgery on their forearm and wrist was carried out, however, they still had no movement. My child couldn't lift or move their arm at all and we consistently complained adamantly and voiced our concern about pain. My child had a broken clavicle and scapula and we were advised these will heal and a schedule 8 drug was prescribed for pain management.

We had asked for a mri prior to discharge again as we were still concerned and felt our concerns were disregarded after discharge. Following referrals were made and a specialist was seen and they advised an urgent mri was required. The results showed 3/5 nerves in neck and arm snapped leaving my child with no movement and chronic pain now on a waitlist. We reviewed the my health record as we could not see how this was missed being in state of trauma and discovered mri was requested while in care but was never actioned.

My child not only physically can not move their arm due to nerve damage and requiring shoulder reconstruction surgery, but is emotionally not managing.

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Responses

Response from Ben Noteboom, Executive Director, Royal Perth Bentley Group 10 months ago
Ben Noteboom
Executive Director,
Royal Perth Bentley Group

Submitted on 21/06/2023 at 6:10 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 22/06/2023 at 8:38 AM

picture of Ben Noteboom

Dear delphinusmx96,

Thank you for taking the time to share your adult child’s experience with us. I am truly sorry to hear of the difficulties you have both encountered.

I understand your concerns have been acknowledged by Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) Consumer Engagement Unit (CEU) who are responsible for coordinating thorough investigations with our senior clinicians. I have been assured that CEU has been communicating regularly with you to ensure you are kept up to date on the investigation findings as they emerge.

I am sorry to hear of the substantial injuries your son sustained and that his initial surgery did not appear to be successful. It is disappointing there may have been a delay with your son getting an MRI. Please be assured, on occasion, some injuries are often investigated (such as with an MRI) at a later date, closer to the date of the surgery. Royal Perth Bentley Group always aspires to provide excellence in healthcare and I am sorry if we fell short of your expectations in this instance.

It is understandably a very stressful time for family members of loved ones who are in hospital. I encourage you to continue to liaise with the Consumer Engagement Unit on (08) 9224 1637 who will be able to assist you accordingly.

I sincerely wish your child all the best.

Kind Regards,

Mr Ben Noteboom

A/Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Group

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by delphinusmx96 (a parent/guardian)

Hi Ben

While I appreciate your time to reply, I believe the complexity of a brachial plexus injury can leave a person paralysed permanently and requires urgent attention for the best results

I have had to liase with interstate specialists who are advising the complexity of requiring nerve transfers and muscle transfers it saddens me that I need to seek medical assistance interstate. This injury is not a basic mri that has been missed, I believe brachial plexus injuries require immediate attention.

Currently my child's arm muscular structure along with mental health is deteriorating rapidly and I feel the word sorry does not represent action. It purely is a word that I feel is commonly over used, action is what is required and what is being requested. There remains to be no set date for surgery and the percentage of nerve rehabilitation and recovery is decreasing daily leaving my child with a flail arm. At any age this is crippling to know an amputation could be in your future if surgery is unsuccessful, but at my child's young age the mental impact is taking toll. I again appreciate the reply however a reply is not a resolution to what I feel is the medical negligence received by royal perth.

Kind regards

Response from Ben Noteboom, Executive Director, Royal Perth Bentley Group 10 months ago
Ben Noteboom
Executive Director,
Royal Perth Bentley Group

Submitted on 27/06/2023 at 1:26 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 1:59 PM

picture of Ben Noteboom

Dear delphinusmx96,

I understand that this time is very distressing for yourself and your child. Please be reassured that our thorough investigation into your child’s care has found that the treatment and care provided to your child by the Royal Perth Bentley Group was clinically appropriate for their presenting condition.

In keeping with our commitment to maintaining patient confidentiality, whilst we welcome continued dialogue – including informing you of the additional actions that have been taken to support your child whilst awaiting surgery, unfortunately Care Opinion is not a platform where we can provide specific clinical details of a patient due to their right to privacy.

I understand that you have had a number of conversations with our team in the Consumer Engagement Unit who have provided more specific information. Further to this we would be happy to arrange a meeting for yourself, your child and relevant senior clinical leaders. The Consumer Engagement Unit will contact you to seek your availability.

Kind Regards,

Mr Ben Noteboom

A/Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Group

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by delphinusmx96 (a parent/guardian)

Hi Ben,

Thank you for your taking the time again to respond. I am very interested in meeting with the team as a personal approach is what I requested to start with.

Kind regards

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