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Relative's treatment

Posted By Le bilston

"Relative's treatment"

About: Northam Health Service / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

My child attended Northam health campus for a video review of a fractured hand. The video doctor requested a new cast be put on in a certain way. My child was sent to the emergency department where a doctor who was visiting from another hospital was asked to do the cast. The doctor laughed and said they were not good at them and didn’t do them often but would give it a go.

On seeing the cast the next day I call another hospital to question the cast and was advised to take my child down 2 days later on the Monday to attend a clinic. The clinic nurses and doctors agreed that the cast was completely inappropriate and should not have been allowed. My child was then given a new cast.

This did mean that we had to drive 300km extra to get this cast for no other reason than a doctor seemingly not knowing what they were doing. My child still has some minor issues with their hand which I have been told could be from incorrect early treatment. If regional hospitals are not capable of treating children then I feel they should just refer to another hospital first

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Responses

Response from WA Country Health, Wheatbelt 5 months ago
WA Country Health, Wheatbelt

Submitted on 18/10/2024 at 6:05 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 21/10/2024 at 10:08 AM

Dear Le bilston,

I am really sorry to hear about what you and your child experienced at Northam Health Campus. This would have been frustrating and stressful, especially when you just want the best for your child.

Our Emergency Department Doctors in regional hospitals have great skills in emergency care, and across all regional hospitals also have access to specialists. This can be for advice, support or they may need to refer patients on if needed for specialist care - this includes for fractures or specialised casts if needed.

I would like the opportunity to have our Medical Director review the care of your child to explore how we can do better, and if you are comfortable to speak to Dr Peter Barratt you can contact him on 0427 198 657.

I do hope your child makes a full recovery. I will ensure your experience is fed-back to the team at Northam and ask them to look at improvements we can make now about caring for children needing similar care to your child.

Kind regards,

Rachele Ferrari

Regional Executive Director Wheatbelt

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