"Royal Perth ED, Ward 10C and ICU"

I am writing this on the anniversary of my partner's passing in Royal Perth Hospital.

Last year my partner went to the doctor after a couple of weeks of feeling run down and just unwell. Bloods were done and ultrasounds, X-rays, etc. Within 24 hours I had gotten a phone call from my GP to advise me that I needed to take my partner in to RPH straight away, due to the blood test results showing a lot of concern and having a platelet count of only 36, and that he was neutropenic. The GP had rung ahead and then gave me all the paperwork, etc, and when we got into RPH the staff were waiting for us.

I can not speak highly enough of the care and attention we received, firstly in ED, then when we got transferred to 10C, as eventually a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia had been made. We spent 4 weeks on the ward but my partner continued to go downhill, no matter what the staff tried nothing seemed to be working. He wasn't the most compliant patient, as the diagnosis had come out of the blue, and he was having huge issues accepting it, but no matter what his mood was, we were always treated with courtesy and respect....aka his nickname "Mr Grumpy".

After 4 weeks and several MET calls, we were transferred to ICU due to his condition. We were always informed of what was happening every step of the way. Sadly his condition continued to worsen and it was decided to opt for palliative care. This decision was made after consultation with ourselves and the medical team, the ICU staff supported us in every way.

I had gone home one night about midnight and received a call at 3.50am that I needed to come back urgently, he had lapsed into a coma. I arrived there and was immediately taken into ICU, and as busy as they are in there they found time to explain exactly what was happening, several hours later the decision was made to turn all equipment off and he went peacefully.

I would like to thank ALL staff in all areas, ED and 10C and ICU, from kitchen staff to cleaners, to social workers, to allied health, to ward clerks, to nursing staff and the medical team, even the chaps in the café who would make his spearmint thickshakes, nothing was ever too much trouble for anyone.

As someone who works in palliative care, I was most impressed and grateful for the care and attention we received, even allowing me to sit in ICU with him for much of the day and nights.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, you gave my partner the best chance at living, but it wasn't to be.

We have a top rate hospital here!