"Confusing for visitors, no communication and parking nightmare"

Dear Countrymouse123,

Thank you for sharing your experience regarding FSH with me. Feedback such as yours is a very helpful perspective when we think about how we can improve our patient’s experience at FSH.

FSH has over 3500 car park bays, so I’m surprised you found it impossible to park. Car Park 5 alone has almost 750 bays. The Murdoch precinct FSH is located within is one of the most highly serviced public transportation precincts in Perth. As such we really do need our staff and patients (particularly outpatients) to take advantage of this whenever possible.

Thank you also for your feedback regarding the signage. The signage is regularly reviewed, including by our Consumer Advisory Committee, but I will ask that they complete another site-wide review and audit. FSH is not able to comment on the site construction works next door.

Frequent room changes are something that we do our best to avoid, but unfortunately at times we do need to move patients, ideally to their “home specialty” ward if a bed was not available there upon admission. I am sorry to read that your parent was distressed when they could not locate their sibling, it’s important for everyone to knock before entering a patient bedroom if the door is closed. Alternatively, approach one of our Ward Clerks or a member of the Ward nursing or therapy team will be happy to guide to the right bedroom.

Generally next of kins are not routinely notified of their loved one’s progress unless specifically requested – particularly if the patient is deemed mentally competent. We are obliged to deeply respect patient confidentiality at all times. I am unable to identify your parent and family member’s particular admission or circumstances, but I do encourage all patients and their carers to speak with the Nurse Unit Manager to seek clarification regarding any aspect of treatment plans or care.

Regarding the long distance between car parks and the main hospital – we do have a fabulous team of volunteers. You may have noticed them situated at the main (west) entrance of the hospital. They are a brilliant resource for wayfinding, but also have golf-buggies and can come and collect patients / visitors from carparks if required. They can be contacted via the switch on 6152 2222. This may be handy for future reference for you.

Warm regards,

Neil Doverty.

Dear Countrymouse123,

I am sorry to hear that you have another family member unwell! Thank you for alerting me to the golf buggy situation. I have made enquiries with the Volunteer Manager who informed me that the buggy was taken out of service by the Road Safety Commission as remedial works to some pavement areas were required. I was not aware of this so am grateful that your post triggered me being informed of this – thank you. I have been advised that once the remedial works are actioned (plus an exemption to enable the buggy to be used on a previously agreed route is obtained), the buggy will return to service.

In the interim, we do have a ring-road which enables the pickup and drop-off of patients and visitors to the main entrance, if required. The following link is for the Fiona Stanley Hospital website page and includes site maps and parking information that you may find helpful; Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group - Coming to Fiona Stanley Hospital (health.wa.gov.au).

Regarding the $21 per day parking, that fee is set by the Metropolitan Access and Parking Strategy (MAPS), which provides a framework under which each public health campus in the metropolitan area can deliver consistent policies and practices. MAPS was endorsed by the Ministers for Health and Planning and was formally released by the Director General in 2010.

I hope that your loved one is recovering well – I have every confidence in the care our wonderful team of medical, nursing, allied health and ancillary staff provide.

Kind regards,

Neil Doverty.