This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?

"Very disappointed and angry to be turned away"

About: Narrogin Health Service / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

One recent afternoon, I took my baby up to the hospital as they were having problems breathing and coughing so badly. We saw a  doctor who checked my baby over and said they have bronchitis. I asked them if they could swab for RSV so the nurse did otherwise I believe they weren’t going to do it!

The next day came around and my baby was wheezing in the morning but after a bottle and a little bit of food they were fine.

The following day came around and my baby went down hill very fast. They were coughing so much they would run out of breathe, meanwhile we are still waiting in the waiting room. The dr saw my baby and said we will monitor them for a few hours, gave them Panadol and they seemed settled at the time and reassured me nothing is to be concerned.

The next day came around and my baby again declined more and had very high temperatures we went straight back up to ED. The nurse up there was the same one who was there the other night. They had said yes my baby has gotten more worse than what they were before. I recall the nurse had told me in their own words that because this is my 3rd time coming up to ED my baby should be admitted to the ward to be monitored. We finally got in quickly to see a dr. There was a student dr working along side the doctor.

The doctor came in to check my baby over, gave some Panadol to help bring down the temperature they had. My baby was very unsettled screaming, not being their normal self, as they are the most happiest baby out, and I knew something was completely wrong.

The doctor was speaking with the student doctor, and had made an animal out of a glove. The doctor was explaining to the student doctor to see if my baby would be alert and watch what the doctor was doing while creating an animal with the glove. They had said if my baby was sick they wouldn’t want to even know or watch when the doctor was making it, the doctor put it next to my baby to see if they would grab it, and of course my baby has been alert ever since the day they're born will just grab anything in front of them even when sick, so my baby grabbed it.

The doctor explained to me and student dr if my baby was sick they wouldn’t of acknowledged the glove. I knew for a fact my baby was sick but they kept turning me away and saying they are going to be okay. 

Unfortunately the doctor's bedside manner was for lack of a better word, disgusting in my opinion. They seemingly refused to investigate my baby and instead told me to go home and made me feel pressured to leave the facility despite my baby screaming and feeling too unwell to go home. Even the nurse had said my baby should really be kept over night to be monitored.

The doctor offhandedly said to me that my baby didn’t need antibiotics as it wasn’t a bacterial infection. I balled my eyes out because I felt they weren’t listening to me at all. I was at the point where I was going to leave and drive to Perth to go to the children’s hospital because I believe they would listen up there.

The dr had told me bc I live in town there was no need for my baby to be admitted to the ward. I felt utterly disgraced that the doctor had said that, when clearly I knew my baby was sick. I waiting nearly 5 days for results to come back for RSV. I received them and my baby had 3 virus in one! I’m very disappointed and angry to be turned away! 

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Jenny Menasse, Operations Manager Southern Wheatbelt, WACHS - Wheatbelt 9 months ago
Jenny Menasse
Operations Manager Southern Wheatbelt,
WACHS - Wheatbelt
Submitted on 17/07/2024 at 11:28 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:41 PM


picture of Jenny Menasse

Dear wheatbelt7383

Thank you for sharing your concerns about the treatment you received when you presented to the Emergency Department (ED) at the Narrogin Health Service with your sick child. Parents are encouraged if they are ever in doubt about their children’s health to present to their GP or nearest ED and I apologise you felt you were not listened to each time you presented with your unwell child.

I would also like to take this opportunity to let you know that we have a telephone located in the ED waiting room. Aishwarya’s Care Call (1800 994 063) is process for patients and their families and carers to request urgent assistance when they are concerned about the healthcare they are receiving.

When a CARE Call is made, a senior staff member will listen to your concerns, the staff member will take what action is required to address your concerns. The senior staff member then liaises with the treating medical team and other health care providers as required. The person who receives your call will keep you updated as to what action has been taken.

If you would like further information about Aishwarya’s CARE Call, please visit the WACHS Website at: WA Country Health Service - Aishwarya’s CARE Call.

The Health Service Manager has reinforced with the staff the correct process to be followed for anyone re-presenting to the ED. I would encourage you to contact me on (08) 9881 0413 so that I can undertake a thorough investigation and address the short comings you have identified in your post to ensure the care provided to the Narrogin community meets expectations into the future.

I hope your child is recovering well.

Kind regards,

Jenny Menasse

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k