"I would have preferred being flown interstate."

Dear earthkd47,

I would like to congratulate you and your family on the birth of your child, and I thank you for taking the time to raise your concerns regarding your experience with the Women and Newborn Health Service (WNHS).

WNHS strives to provide quality, patient-centered care and I am sorry that this was not the case on this occasion. We understand that parents want the best possible outcomes for their babies and we work to build a strong relationship to ensure that both the mother and infant have the best health and social outcomes after discharge from our hospital. The WNHS Follow-Up Program is a program for families that have experience with the WNHS Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. As a part of this program, infants within the metropolitan area will be seen by a doctor in the Paediatric Follow-Up Clinical either at the King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) or Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH). These follow-ups are scheduled at Term, 4 and 8 months of age, followed by a developmental assessment at 12 months, 2, 3 and 5 years (all at corrected age).

For those living in country areas where transport and distance are a problem, infants will receive individualised follow-up with Rural Paediatrics Services, local General Practitioners and/or KEMH/PCH Paediatricians after discussion with the parents.

After the birth of your baby and following discharge from hospital, mothers receive continued care from the Visiting Midwifery Service. The midwife will visit you at home each day until your baby is five days old, or longer if needed. This service offers postnatal care for you and your baby in your home environment. For those outside the hospital boundaries, follow up care can be received from your local hospital, Child Health Nurse and/or General Practitioner. The service operates seven-days-a-week including public holidays. Other support services are available depending on individual circumstances and these will be discussed with your midwife if required.

I would like to sincerely apologise if these services have not been explained to you. We are keen to rectify this situation and would like to opportunity to connect you and your baby into the hospital follow-up program. I would encourage you to contact the WNHS Neonatal Follow Up Co-ordinator on 6458 1260 who can assist with planning the regular reviews for you and your baby as part of this program.

I would like to wish you and your family all of the best for the future and I thank you again for taking the time to share your experience with our service with me.

Kind regards

Jodi Graham