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"I feel betrayed by the healthcare system."

About: Armadale Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

A couple of years ago:

I feel totally betrayed by the health care system. The ED at the hospital

1. A broken L. Hip = no fracture (xray) = go home. I refused. = come back = being told here is no break. This is what we are going to do:  We will fill you full of painkillers; walk you around until you are OK, and then you can go home in a taxi." Me = no, something's wrong, I will not take painkillers, and I will stay here until you find out what it is.

Outcome = I was reluctantly admitted overnight. 

Next day. CT Scan revealed a break in the L. Hip. I was transported to Fremantle Hospital and had 3 screws inserted in my L. Hip.

Over a year ago:

I presented with a broken R. Wrist. X-ray = no break. Told to go home. I did so.

A number of days later a CT scan revealed a break in the R. wrist. 

I then received appropriate care.

In the last six months:

I felt I was, once again, not believed.

I presented with a fractured vertebrae, lower R. Lumbar + a broken rib + a sprained R. ring finger.

X-ray = no break. Told to go home. I refused. I could not weight bear. Eventually I was reluctantly admitted overnight. 

The following day I was discharged against my wishes. I kept stating that I could not weight-bare and something was very wrong with me. Was told the doctors had had a conference and their decision was that I was to be discharged as there was no break and nothing else was wrong with me. 

In response to my inability to weigh bear I was told: That's no problem. We will put you in a wheelchair and call a taxi. Wheel you downstairs. Put you in the taxi and they will take you home.

This is what happened. 

Some days later a CT scan revealed a break: R. Lumbar vertebrae of the spine.

I did not receive appropriate care for this injury.

Three times I believe the ED Dept of the Armadale Hospital has demonstrated no care towards me and no appropriate response.

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Responses

Response from Diane Barr, Executive Director, Armadale Kalamunda Group 5 years ago
Diane Barr
Executive Director,
Armadale Kalamunda Group
Submitted on 5/09/2018 at 9:01 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 9:02 AM


picture of Diane Barr

Dear apusxr63

Thank you for taking the time to write to us and I am very sorry to hear of your various experiences while seeking treatment at the Armadale Hospital Emergency Department (ED).

Coming to an ED with an illness or an injury can be a very anxious time and I am disappointed to read that you felt your concerns were not listened to by our staff.

Listening to patients and involving them in decisions regarding their care and treatment is a very important aspect of patient care. As such, I am concerned that what you have described was not what we would normally expect of our staff.

I would really appreciate the opportunity to follow up on your concerns as this will enable us to identify how we can improve to reduce the likelihood of a similar occurrence in the future.

If this is something that interests you, please consider contacting our Consumer Liaison Office on (08) 9391 1153 or email AKG_ConsumerLiaison@health.wa.gov.au at a time convenient for you.

Thank you again for taking the time to write and for sharing your concerns with me.

Yours sincerely

Di Barr

Executive Director

Armadale Kalamunda Group

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