"General help"

After receiving good care having our first born child recenetly in the Broome hospital, we unfortunately come down sick with flu like symptoms.

Being first time parents, naturally we did not want to pass on possible covid to our new born and were unsure of next steps. It's 830pm on a Sunday, we've called the Broome hospital, explained our situation and asked for a RAT test to put our minds at rest, only to be told to go to a chemist. In Broome, there's no 24hr chemist so this was not an option. We've had to pack up the whole family (because my wife cannot drive due to having a caesarean) and take our new born child into ED where there are sick, unhygienic and what appeared to be drunk people.

I find it appalling that given the amount of tax we pay in this country it's seemingly not in the budget to have a couple of covid tests that could be given out to some first time parents to help put their mind at ease. We had a similar experience when we were in care after the birth of our child when a mid wife told us they are only allowed to give out 2 pairs of compression socks and that my wife would have to wear the dirty ones for another day. I'm not writing this in any malice, but for the sake of a few more dollars, for the odd patient here and there, either the hospital or the WA department of health need to pull their socks up in my opinion.