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Food options and impatience to draw blood

Posted By foxtrotdg39

"Food options and impatience to draw blood"

About: Albany Health Campus / Surgical Ward

(as the patient),

During the holiday period I was transferred to Albany where I was placed on the ward.

The next day I was informed by the surgical team that I could eat again.

The kitchen did not provide me with lunch and at dinner time bought me custard and jelly which I do not eat.

The nurse took my food and came back with a salami and lettuce sandwich, I informed them I could not eat it and was told that's all we have.

I went to sleep with no food, very angry and very hungry.

I am on a low fibre diet and allergic to onion and garlic.

Breakfast the next day I was brought wholemeal rolls and cornflakes.

I informed them I could not eat the rolls and it seemed they did not care nor did they find me an alternative. They took it away leaving me with only a bowl of cornflakes, the only food I had in over 24 hours.

The nursing co ordinator came and escalated this with the kitchen and yet they still go it wrong. Leaving me with no alternative food to eat in over 24 hours.

My spouse had to drive 2 hours to bring me food to eat.

Whilst eating my first meal in over 3 days I had a nurse come in to do OBS. She left me with a hand to eat.

However another staff member came in to draw blood and comments, Oh I'll just us the other arm.

So now I have to stop eating just so they can draw bloods.

I believe they could have waited a few moments to let me finish eating but was to impatient to do so.

Is it really that hard to have empathy for your patients?

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Responses

Response from Kate Hambleton, Director, Albany Health Campus, WACHS GS 5 months ago
Kate Hambleton
Director, Albany Health Campus,
WACHS GS

Submitted on 10/01/2025 at 12:02 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 3:22 PM

Dear foxtrotdg39,

Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention. I sincerely apologise for the frustration and inconvenience you experienced during your stay at Albany Health Campus.

It is not acceptable that you were not provided with appropriate meals considering your dietary requirements and allergies. It is deeply regrettable that your spouse had to drive for two hours to ensure you had the food you needed.

I can appreciate your frustration in having to stop eating whilst staff drew blood and can see how this would feel like a lack of empathy in relation to your care.

Your feedback provides the service with information around areas for improvement in communication and patient focused care practices.

Please be assured that we are taking your feedback seriously and this is an opportunity for the hospital to review our procedures and processes to ensure this does not occur in the future.

If you have any further concerns or require any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Kind regards

Kate Hambleton

A/Director Albany Health Campus

WA Country Health Service – Great Southern

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