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"My parent's poor care"

About: Fremantle Hospital and Health Service

(as a relative),

My elderly parent is currently in Fremantle Hospital and I'm honestly shocked, disgusted and disappointed with the poor care they have received. Somehow, they have developed a serious pressure wound whilst in hospital, even though still mobile, that has become seriously infected down to the bone. I don't understand how this wasn't picked up in time, how it has got to this stage and why it wasn't treated earlier. It looks like neglect to me, which I would not expect to see in a hospital setting. There has been no explanation or admittance that the care has been poor.

I'm unfortunately not located in Perth but I visited for 2 weeks recently to find out what is going on with my parent’s care. The answer when I visited was not much and it wasn't until my family and I kept asking questions about the wound that something was done. Because they are showing cognitive decline which was given a mistaken diagnosis that they had a rare terminal brain disease, I think they were written off as going to die anyway.

It seems there has been a serious misdiagnosis of the condition. We were told it is a rare terminal brain disease, which was incredibly upsetting to hear. It was also very upsetting to me as it can be potentially from a genetic cause. However, after I travelled down to Fremantle to be with my parent and question the doctors about the diagnosis, I was then informed there had been a mistake in interpreting the diagnostics. Seriously, if a terminal diagnosis is given to family it must be fully supported by the diagnostics. The only way it was picked up as being a mistake is that I have enough of a scientific background to ask the right questions and understand the diagnostics. I have not received an apology or explanation for this mistaken diagnosis. This diagnosis has caused me enormous stress.

I feel the care has been close to negligence and very poor care for an elderly person.

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Responses

Response from Neil Doverty, Executive Director Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group, South Metropolitan Health Service 5 months ago
Neil Doverty
Executive Director Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group,
South Metropolitan Health Service
Submitted on 21/11/2023 at 1:06 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 1:06 PM


picture of Neil Doverty

Dear paprikaej74,

I was very concerned to read your feedback regarding the care your parent is receiving at Fremantle Hospital. It must be difficult for you not being able to check in on them regularly.

You have raised some very serious issues which we would like to investigate further. I understand that you have been in contact with the Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospital Group Patient and Family Liaison Service, and they have requested some further details regarding your parent. Once this has been actioned, we will be able to formally commence the investigation and provide you with a direct response.

Regards

Neil Doverty

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