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"Missing referral letters"

About: Kalgoorlie Health Campus / Medical Imaging

(as the patient),

After two referral letters from my GP for scans assessing a tear in my shoulder that seemingly went missing at Kalgoorlie Campus Imaging Department I am concerned about the service delivery to patients. 

If it’s a once off that letters are not processed I can understand. The first referral letter - and after six weeks I went to the imaging department to enquire and then the staff would ask for the hard copy to make an appointment. 

After another delay I received a call from Kalgoorlie Medical Imaging in Egan Street about the hospital referral they received to do the scan with them which I accepted under no obligation. They received my referral from the hospital. 

I was grateful to helpful staff at Kalgoorlie Medical Imaging in Egan Street accommodating me. 

My second referral to undergo a guided USS cortisone injection for the tear in my shoulder went the same way…..disappeared / not processed. 
I called recently and reception at imaging couldn’t find my referral which was submitted to them around a week before. A staff member requested I bring the hard copy so they can make an appointment. 

The nature of the tear is really inconvenient and I would appreciate to get it over and done with. I contact the GP consulting room to schedule this procedure in Perth knowingly my appointment will be scheduled in a timely manner and dealt with. 

Based on my experience, I would not utilise Kalgoorlie Campus Imaging Department and I believe I am not the only one complaining about what seems to be this poor service delivery. 

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Responses

Response from Alicia Michalanney, A/Director, Kalgoorlie Health Campus, WA Country Health Service 8 months ago
We are preparing to make a change
Alicia Michalanney
A/Director, Kalgoorlie Health Campus,
WA Country Health Service

Leader of the teams and services at the Kalgoorlie Health Campus

Submitted on 4/08/2023 at 1:49 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 2:09 PM


picture of Alicia Michalanney

Dear camelopardalisbh67,

Thank you for reaching out, first and foremost I am sorry for the delay. I am glad you could be accommodated at Kalgoorlie Medical Imaging in Egan Street, for an ultrasound at short notice. It is great that in Kalgoorlie we do have some choice and access to alternative providers for procedures that may have a longer waiting time.

I will follow up with staff tomorrow on the status of you second referral for a procedure with the Specialist Radiologist, Sonographer and Nurse for an ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection. As you have suggested, there is a process for prioritising these services due to clinical impact and need and it is highly likely we cannot meet the same timeframes as a private provider in Perth, but I will endeavour to get a confirmed timeframe for you so that you can make this decision. I understand the pain and frustration from this type of injury from personal experience and why you want to receive this care as soon as possible.

Regarding the customer service you received, again I sincerely apologise, we have experienced a significant increase in demand coupled with staffing challenges with staff taking unplanned leave. We are working to increase the resourcing in the department and support the staff working there so we can improve things for both them and our patients as quickly as possible.

Many thanks Alicia

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