I have been having trouble coping with the hot and humid conditions in the north of Australia (I am from the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria, a cool climate). When in Broome and Pt Hedland I had episodes of feeling unwell and as if I would faint, and had to lie down on whatever ground was available. I was “revived” by having cold compresses placed on my body.
Then in the evening recently, when I had been in Karratha for a day (and had been in the sun for part of the day), we went out to dinner and although it was evening and the temperature had cooled, I had the same unwell feeling, and lay on the pavement (we were sitting outside).
Nurses from the Karratha hospital just happened to be on the next table and attended to me. They were very solicitous and suggested that I should be taken by ambulance to hospital to be checked out. They looked after me until the paramedics arrived - 2 women, also very caring and competent.
ED was busy, but they stayed with me until a cubicle could be found. The nurses who attended me were all very good, and the doctor very thorough.
I assume partly because of my age (in my 60s) and partly because a cause was not evident - yes, I was dehydrated but not severely - he wanted me kept in overnight so I could be checked thoroughly.
A bed was found for me in a ward eventually. The ward staff were also lovely. I was checked thoroughly - CT scan, heart monitored all night, lungs checked, tummy checked, bloods and urine tested. Nothing untoward was found - which is good of course. I just need to keep hydrated and cool!
All the staff I came into contact with (also porters and food delivery) were lovely. The room on the ward was very comfortable, and the hospital very nice and in good condition.
Please pass on, somehow, my thanks to all staff I encountered!
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