"Lack of communication, dismissal of concerns, no treatment plan"

We had such a mixed experience at PCH. Fantastic nurses and allied health staff, a few great doctors and quite a few doctors who treated us as if we were ridiculous for wanting information around presenting medical issues. 

I spent 10 days on Ward A with my adolescent. During that time they were given the wrong medications twice due to hospital staff charting the medications wrongly. Eventually I decided not to leave the hospital so that I could provide and ensure proper care was provided. 

An issue with a tube causing pain was ignored and my child's evident pain dismissed until a senior staff member took the time to check and found it was poorly positioned. This dismissal of parent/child concerns was evident throughout the stay. 

Multiple teams were involved in the care of my child - none of whom seemed to communicate with each other or us. We were given conflicting information throughout the stay and had very little idea of what (if any) treatment would be offered at any given time. In fact, we were informed that the stay would be continued for rehab treatment right up until 2 hours before discharge. 

Investigations into an issue dismissed as psychological (by PCH) for more than a year was found to have a physical cause and treatment during this admission and can finally be addressed. For that, I'm grateful. 

However, in the end, my child was discharged with no real treatment plan, incorrect discharge paperwork and no investigation into another pressing issue causing intense pain daily.

Over the last two years we have experienced repeated dismissals of symptoms which were later found to be 'real' and treatable. I was desperately hoping this time would be different. Instead we are exhausted and disheartened yet again by what should be the best peadiatric care in WA.