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Very unprofessional duty of care

Posted By branwr53

"Very unprofessional duty of care"

About: Bunbury Hospital

(as the patient),

I was admitted to short stay overnight.  The next morning it seemed they were very anxious to get me out as they expressed a lack of beds.  They then catheterised me after dosing me up on pain killers. They then handed me prescriptions and told me I was now discharged.  

I had a drive of around 55kms to get myself home as my partner was still on a plane travelling home from work.  I walked out of the hospital and into their pharmacy to pick up my prescriptions.  I should actually say I stagger out, I was very heavily medicated.  

I nodded off to sleep in the chemist, I think this may have been a couple of times.  When I managed to get to my car I knew I couldn’t drive myself anywhere.  I had to sleep in the car until the medication wore off, then I had the issue of a full catheter to deal with.  

I feel the lack of beds is clouding the judgment of patient care, luckily enough I knew not to drive myself and even luckier nothing happened in the car park while I was in such a vulnerable state. 

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Responses

Response from Hugh Mitenko, Acting Medical Director, Emergency Department, Bunbury Hospital 6 months ago
Hugh Mitenko
Acting Medical Director, Emergency Department,
Bunbury Hospital

Submitted on 11/12/2024 at 2:25 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 4:21 PM

Hello branwr53,

I'm sorry this happened to you, it sounds really frustrating.

There is clearly more to the story, and I'd be happy to ensure this case is investigated. If you would like me to do this, please contact our Regional Coordinator of Consumer Feedback on (08) 9753 6537 or email swfeedback@health.wa.gov.au.

Yours sincerely

Dr Hugh Mitenko, MD, CCFP-EM (Canada) | Co-Head of Department, Bunbury Emergency Department

WA Country Health Service South West, Bunbury Hospital

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from John Brearley, Co-Director Stream A, Bunbury Hospital, WACHS - South West 5 months ago
John Brearley
Co-Director Stream A, Bunbury Hospital,
WACHS - South West

Stream A includes: Medical Ward, Medical B, Subacute, ICU, Emergency Department and Ambulatory Care at the Homemaker

Submitted on 4/02/2025 at 4:36 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 5/02/2025 at 9:43 AM

Hello branwr53,

Just following up to see if you wanted us to investigate this matter further?

I trust all is well.

Regards

John Brearley

CoDirector Bunbury Hospital

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by branwr53 (the patient)

Firstly, to Dr Mitenko.

I did get in contact with you. Your assistant assured me that you would contact me and my information was completely confidential. Wow, was wrong. I understand that you have an extremely busy profession, and also your word (the one I believe you instructed your assistant with) is not, in my opinion, worth a breath. I can’t describe what this has all done to me over the last nearly 6 months! From the lack of care there to the absolute lack of care at the last specialist I have seen. The cost of what I believe to be incompetence is extraordinary. I have suddenly gone to be working for Dr fees and medications, not listened to and wrongly prescribed. Then the assurance of confidentiality, my information seemed to have travelled to anyone that had the time to have a read and a laugh.

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