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My paraplegic partner at multiple hospitals

Posted By golfke98

"My paraplegic partner at multiple hospitals"

About: Fiona Stanley Hospital / Plastic Surgery Royal Perth Hospital / Trauma & Reconstructive & Plastic Surgery Services St John of God Midland Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a relative),

Feeling very frustrated with the system.

My partner was in a motorcycle accident a couple of years ago and is now paraplegic.

They have been admitted to SJOG midland, where they have stayed in ED for multiple days as they do not have a plastics team sufficiently qualified to deal with their stage 4 and stage 3 pressure wounds - one on each side of my partner’s bum.

When SJOG contacted a different metropolitan hospital who have a plastics team, it seemed they refused to take my partner. Recently, SJOG contacted another metropolitan hospital - who said no because my partner isn’t in the catchment area - which I believe is completely incorrect according to the information I found online. It seems to me both metropolitan hospital are saying my partner needs to be at Fiona Stanley who are apparently unwilling to commit to accommodating my partner.

My partner remains in ED at SJOG Midland, whilst they administer IV antibiotics to treat my partner’s septic infection and seemingly refuse to provide them any of their prescribed pain medication - despite me providing the ambulance with all my partner’s blister packs and prescriptions.

Based on my experience, I am beyond disappointed with our system

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Responses

Response from Janet Jones, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance, St John of God - Midland 10 months ago
Janet Jones
Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance,
St John of God - Midland

Submitted on 7/07/2023 at 2:39 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 2:53 PM

Dear golfke,

We were sorry to learn of your partner’s experience in our Emergency Department (ED) Short Stay Unit and the delay in their transfer to a tertiary hospital.

Please be assured ED caregivers are working hard to ensure your partner is promptly transferred once we are advised a bed is available. We acknowledge your frustration and thank you for your patience. I have asked the Nurse Manager to come and speak with you and your partner and provide an update and also ensure your partner receives the pain relief they need.

If you need further assistance, our Patient Experience Team can be contacted on 9462 4901 who are liaising with the South Metropolitan Health Service Patient and Family Liaison Service on your behalf.

Kind regards

Janet Jones

Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance

St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals

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Update posted by golfke98 (a relative)

Hi Janet,

Thanks so very much for your response. Please know that my post was directed more so at Royal Perth and Fiona Stanley in what seems to be their ongoing avoidance of accepting a referral for my partner.

I understand your staff have continued to advocate for my partner in an attempt to find a solution as your hospital is unable to complete the plastic surgery required.

SJOG Midland staff, in particular Kylie - short stay night shift nurse have been amazing. You’re team has done what they can to provide some ease for my partner in a very difficult and frustrating situation. It is just unfortunate that it seems the only hospital willing to provide service to my partner - does not offer the service they require.

SJOD should be nothing but proud.

Thanks again

Response from Ben Noteboom, Executive Director, Royal Perth Bentley Group 9 months ago
Ben Noteboom
Executive Director,
Royal Perth Bentley Group

Submitted on 11/07/2023 at 6:24 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 12/07/2023 at 8:52 AM

picture of Ben Noteboom

Dear golfke98

I am deeply sorry to read of your partner’s current health concerns and delays experienced while waiting for an appropriate metropolitan hospital bed. I acknowledge this must be incredibly frustrating for you both and convey my heartfelt apology for the distress this is causing.

It is pleasing to hear that your partner is currently receiving safe and appropriate care at St John of God Midland Hospital and that they are advocating for your partner’s transfer to Fiona Stanley Hospital.

There may be many factors affecting the acceptance of your partner’s care at another site, including catchment criteria, which can be vital for their continuity of care and post-treatment follow up. It is difficult to comment further without knowing your partner’s details, and I invite you to contact the Consumer Engagement Unit on 9224 1637 from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday or email: RPBG.Feedback@health.wa.gov.au so that we may look into this further.

Thank you for sharing your story on Care Opinion, so that we can learn and improve the care we deliver to our patients and the community.

I wish your partner all the best in their continuing healthcare journey and recovery.

Kind regards

Ben Noteboom

A/Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Group

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Response from Neil Doverty, Executive Director Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group, South Metropolitan Health Service 9 months ago
Neil Doverty
Executive Director Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group,
South Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 11/07/2023 at 6:39 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 12/07/2023 at 8:52 AM

picture of Neil Doverty

Dear golfke98,

I am sorry to read of your partner’s accident and subsequent difficulty in receiving care and treatment. I can see that you care very deeply for your partner’s welfare, and I am sorry that you are disappointed and feeling frustrated with the system.

I would very much like to look into the reasons why your partner is experiencing a delay in transfer of care. May I respectfully request that you contact our Patient and Family Liaison Service on 6152 4013 at your earliest convenience, so that they can assist you and your partner? They are open Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 4.30 pm, or you can email them via FSHFeedback@health.wa.gov.au. I have let them know to expect your call.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regards,

Neil Doverty.

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Update posted by golfke98 (a relative)

Fiona Stanley Hospital accepted referral to Spinal Rehab Ward.

Very grateful to have witnessed my paraplegic partner's transfer from SJOG Midland to FSH.

We appreciate the time taken by the amazing staff we saw on my partner's ward at SJOG. I felt they were relentless in their advocacy for my partner and the result speaks for itself.

It was via a post on this website that I was able to be directed to the appropriate area within FSH to communicate my partner's case.

I was given the opportunity to advocate for my partner and his circumstances with the Family and Patient Support Team at FSH, I provided a letter addressed directly to the Chief Executive and we believe it was that process in combination with the commitment from SJOG Midland that secured a Telehealth consultation.

Which we did from SJOG - supported by various clinicians and connected with the relevant specialists at FSH.

The next week my partner was transferred to the Spinal Rehab Ward where they remain an inpatient receiving the medical care they so desperately needed.

Thank you to Care Opinion, Neil Doverty - Executive Director at Fiona Stanley Hospital and all the amazing staff we dealt with at SJOG Midland. You have absolutely changed our experience with the health care system and my partner's case. You are all amazing.

Response from Janet Jones, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance, St John of God - Midland 9 months ago
Janet Jones
Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance,
St John of God - Midland

Submitted on 3/08/2023 at 12:06 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:31 PM

Hello golfke98,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us.

It was fantastic to learn that your partner received the care they needed at St John of God Midland Public Hospital and has now safely transferred to Fiona Stanley Hospital for further care. All the very best to both of you and please be assured we will share your kind words with our staff.

Kind regards

Janet Jones

Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance

St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals

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