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Care Opinion

Strange triage protocols

Posted By vulpeculazr49

"Strange triage protocols"

About: Broome Health Campus

(as a service user),

I am an elderly, retired Mental Health Nurse with a history of Ischaemic Heart Disease [x 2 heart attacks and ICD].

After a 24 hour period of sore throat, dry cough and vomiting x2, I decided it was prudent to have a COVID test. I had the test in the morning and then proceeded to Broome Hospital ED for Medical input as I was unable to attend my GP. I have had x3 instances in recent years of the above symptoms developing into full-blown bronchitis which, of course, I hoped to prevent with early intervention.

On arrival at Broome Hospital ED, I was directed to the COVID SECURE area where I was interviewed by a Triage Nurse. At the time, there were only x2 parents and children, who I believe were Aboriginal, waiting. This soon filled up with more parents and children of, I believe, the same descent, and, in my opinion, mask-wearing protocols and staying put was ignored.

After x3 hours of observing the above-mentioned people being attended to ahead of myself, I reminded the Triage Nurse that I was still waiting to be attended to. I was informed I would be next to be seen!

It was only after I requested where I was in the queue that I was suddenly informed I was next to be seen by a Doctor ... after 3 hours of waiting! I was soon attended to professionally by a Doctor.

My point is, I believe my age and medical history puts me into a highly vulnerable situation and that it was apparent the children, who I believe were Aboriginal, were receiving what I considered to be the entitled priority now expected instead of equality. I would also ask why the BRAMS Clinic, which, from the amount of advertising on local radio is looking for clients.

I am aware that this topic will invoke sensitivities but I believe, as previously stated, my situation in life was a higher priority than all the individuals who were given precedence to me.  In my opinion, my culture also must be considered. 

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Responses

Response from Wendy McKinley, Operations Manager, Broome Hospital 3 years ago
Wendy McKinley
Operations Manager,
Broome Hospital

Submitted on 25/01/2021 at 4:19 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:28 PM

Dear Hospital Transport,

Thank you for sharing your experience in our Emergency Department (ED) at Broome Hospital.

I acknowledge your personal frustration at having a lengthy wait and understand how challenging this must have been for you, given that you were not feeling well. We do encourage anyone whose symptoms are deteriorating to represent to the triage nurse and will ensure that we communicate this clearly to our patients and their families and carers.

As you would be aware, EDs are very busy environments in which complex assessments, decisions and actions are made quickly, based on a person’s presenting health condition/s and their relevant personal health history. The strict rules that govern triage protocols mean that staff are prioritising patients to ensure that they receive the appropriate care they need safely and within the right amount of time.

I would also like to inform you that along with all hospitals and health services that are governed and managed by the WA Country Health Service across Western Australia, Broome Hospital has a zero tolerance to racism. We honour our responsibility under the WA Public Health Act 2016 ‘to protect, promote and improve the health and wellbeing of the public of Western Australia...’ and we do not turn away anyone from our ED who is in need of care and treatment.

Further, we openly welcome people of all cultures and ethnicities into our care and pride ourselves in being committed to providing equity of access to everyone living in our community, doing this in partnership with local Aboriginal Medical Services and General Practitioner Services.

As a result of your feedback, we will ensure that people attending our ED are reminded to adhere to the mask wearing protocols and physical distancing measures, which are so important in supporting all Western Australians to stay safe and well.

I am sorry that you were left feeling dissatisfied on this occasion and I trust you received the appropriate care that you needed when you were seen by our medical team.

I hope that you have recovered well and are feeling much better now.

Yours sincerely

Wendy McKinley

Operations Manager

Broome Hospital

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