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"My parent's VAD request"

About: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital / Radiation Oncology

(as a relative),

My parent has terminal cancer (stage4). Recently they wanted to end their life their way and has gone through all the channels to do so. But their oncologist wouldn't give my parent a time limit. My parent is suffering and in pain. So their gp gives them 2 -6months. Which we thought great this will give us the go ahead to do Voluntary assisted dying. No it didn't, my parent’s oncologist spoke to my parent’s gp and the oncologist decided not to give the 6months my parent needed.

My poor parent cannot get around anymore, never leaves the house. They have no quality of life all because it seems no one wants to give them a time. We were told by the board that no one wanted to make that choice. Well I'm sorry while those people aren't deciding, my parent is suffering every day. I feel it's disgusting that a department can't make up their mind. So now all my parent has to look forward to is choking in their sleep and suffering. I'm so appalled it's not funny.

Now my parent cannot come into the hospital. But when they did come in, it seemed they got some one different each time. My parent made appointments with one person and never saw them. I feel that is very wrong. Kept saying my parent shouldn't be feeling sore etc well I feel that in itself is wrong, to tell someone how they should feel. I feel that is disgusting and wrong. How dare this happen to my parent. They are suffering. Based on my experience, I hope no other family go through what my parent’s had to.

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Responses

Response from Jodi Graham, Executive Director, Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group 16 months ago
Jodi Graham
Executive Director,
Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group
Submitted on 1/08/2023 at 4:08 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:09 PM


picture of Jodi Graham

Dear correspondencecm74,

Thank you for taking the time under these incredibly difficult circumstances to share your story about your terminally ill parent. I am saddened to hear of your poor experience. I cannot begin to imagine how incredibly difficult it must be to see your parent in pain and suffering. I wanted to reach out to you and let you know that we are listening.

We place great focus on providing compassionate high quality care to patients, so I want to assure you that we take all complaints seriously. Investigating the care we provide allows us to review our services and identify any changes and improvements that need to be made in the future.

I would like the opportunity to provide you and your family with some additional support and assistance.

I would encourage you to contact the Consumer Liaison Service (phone: 6457 2867 or email: CLS@health.wa.gov.au) to provide your personal details, so that we are able to provide you and your parent with a more personalised response.

I sincerely hope that you reach out and make contact so that we can endeavour to assist you further and address any concerns that you may have.

Kind regards

Jodi Graham

Executive Director, SCGOPHCG

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