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Hospital stay, surgery, emergency department

Posted By inspirere69

"Hospital stay, surgery, emergency department"

About: Bridgetown Hospital / Emergency Department Warren Hospital / Radiology Department

(as the patient),

I had severe ovarian pain and presented to Bridgetown Hospital. The nurse and doctor were very caring and prompt. Unfortunately, Bridgetown didn't have Ultra Sound that day, so we were sent to Manjimup for an urgent appointment. My partner drove me. This was during school hours.

The ultrasound showed  a twisted fallopian tube and it was clear that surgery should be done sooner rather than later. The doctor in Manjimup informed us that driving in a car would be quicker to get there, but we also worried about the kids after school, as by that time school had finished. I also didn't not feel I could sit in a car for 1 1/2 hours with my pain, which even with very strong painkillers weren't ceasing. I assumed I could wait an hour or so before the ambulance could take me to Bunbury. However, the ambulance, as I found out much later, wasn't scheduled to take me for another 5 hours (scheduled for 7pm in Manjimup). At 5 pm, we had to leave our kids with friends, and my partner drove me to Bunbury. It was very uncomfortable and painful. I wonder if there is anything the health system could do to support regional hospitals and their patients with ambulance transport for those in need.

All in all, I have to say that all nurses and doctors were very supportive and helpful. I felt very much looked after even with the long waiting time.

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Responses

Response from Justine Kelly, Director of Nursing Health Service Manager, Warren Blackwood Hospitals 11 months ago
Justine Kelly
Director of Nursing Health Service Manager,
Warren Blackwood Hospitals

Submitted on 12/06/2024 at 2:02 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 2:36 PM

picture of Justine Kelly

Dear inspirere69

I hope that you are now recovering from your recent health experience – a very uncomfortable and worrying time for you and your family. I am glad to hear that you felt cared for by the nurses and doctors whilst at our hospitals for initial assessment and treatment.

Please accept my apology that you did not appear to be kept informed and updated whilst awaiting further care and I will raise this with our teams for awareness.

The allocation of ambulances to attend our regional hospitals is coordinated through a acute patient transport centre, to ensure that ambulances are prioritised and tasked out on an urgency basis and in communication with the hospitals for updates in patient condition.

It would be helpful for me to be able understand your care experience further and invite you to reach out to me – Justine - as the Director of Nursing on 0427 901 242.

With Kind Regards,

Justine Kelly

DoN – HSM Warren Blackwood Hospitals.

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Update posted by inspirere69 (the patient)

Dear Justine, Thank you for your response. I am not sure what your response in regards to the ambulance allocation meant.

I had been diagnosed with twisted ovaries/fallopian tubes in Manjimup at 3pm. At 5pm the same day there was still no ambulance allocated for me, even though the doctor stressed about the time sensitivity for this surgery. I had been in pain since 8 am that morning and was forced to be taken to Bunbury by private car which was incredibly painful.

I understand that there may have been other more pressing health matters at the same time, but it does not change the fact that I felt disadvantaged by the fact that there was no ambulance allocated for me.

I am hoping that no one else will have to go through such a lengthy and painful journey as I in the future.

Regards

inspiere69

Response from Justine Kelly, Director of Nursing Health Service Manager, Warren Blackwood Hospitals 10 months ago
Justine Kelly
Director of Nursing Health Service Manager,
Warren Blackwood Hospitals

Submitted on 11/07/2024 at 6:14 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 12/07/2024 at 10:18 AM

picture of Justine Kelly

Dear inspirere69,

Sincerely sorry for my delay in replying and that my explanation regarding ambulance allocation was not clear for you, nor does it change how this left you feeling disadvantaged and experienced a painful car trip.

Would it help to have a conversation around this with Clinical Nurse Manger - Sharon on 0419 380 750, in my absence?

With Kind Regards,

Justine Kelly

DoN - HSM

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