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"Lack of doctor coverage in the Emergency department"

About: Collie Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a relative),

My parent was taken down to the Collie Hospital Emergency Department as they were unwell and had COVID. We believe that there may have been something else also due to the state my parent was in.

The ED people were great and done all they could but as there wasn’t any doctors available they were limited to what they could do and returned my parent back. They came back to the hospital ED this week very ill and after doing tests found my parent had an infection which we believe was a continuation from what they had on the previous visit that had not been detected. If it had been detected then they probably wouldn’t be in the condition they are now.

I have since found out that three days a week there is no on call doctor for the Collie hospital and two of these days are over the weekend which I believe is their busiest time. With no medical practices open in town after lunch time Saturday this puts extra pressure on the medical staff at ED with limitations on their ability to provide prompt service to patients.

I read in the paper quite a while ago that they were going to have this problem solved but as of yet nothing seems to have happened. So please can the health department hurry and resolve this situation or will it take one of their own family member to require emergency treatment one of these days with a unfortunate outcome before something is done. 

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Responses

Response from Jeremy Higgins, Operations Manager - Inland, WACHS South West last week
We are preparing to make a change
Jeremy Higgins
Operations Manager - Inland,
WACHS South West
Submitted on 29/11/2024 at 12:58 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 2:42 PM


picture of Jeremy Higgins

Dear Bushy,

Thankyou for sharing the care experience of your parent at Collie Hospital.

A mix of doctors are staffing the Collie hospital including local GP’s, locum and deployed emergency specialists. When this is not possible medical care is provided by Emergency Specialist Doctors through the WACHS Telehealth service, supported by qualified and experienced nursing staff locally. Most patients seen by this service can be seen in Collie and discharged or admitted locally. At times, transfer to higher level of care may be required depending on the patient's condition.

Please be assured the hospital is open 24/7 and if your parent is unwell at any time they should call 000 or return to the hospital and will be seen by a senior doctor either in person or via Telehealth.

Collie hospital is also actively recruiting Doctors and additional Doctors are commencing in early 2025:

https://medcareerswa.health.wa.gov.au/jobs/senior-medical-practitioner-emergency-medicine-collie-hospital-wa-country-health-service-wa-australia-collie-hospital

If you are able to contact me on M:0438 062 342 I will take some details and ensure your parent's care is reviewed by a senior clinician.

Yours sincerely,

Jeremy Higgins

Operations Manager

WA Country Health Service, South West Inland

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