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"Injured child admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital"

About: Kununurra Hospital Princess Margaret Hospital for Children Royal Flying Doctor Service

(as a parent/guardian),

My child sustained a serious C6 injury and we were flown by  RFDS from Kununurra District Hospital. We were admitted to Ward 5 and we were met with excellent care from the medical staff. It was a very traumatic experience for me and my child, but the staff were very professional and caring. They were always friendly and my child grew very fond of them all. My child was a patient for this admission 5 days but the next admission was 6 days. The nurses have a tough, busy job but they were also very approachable. Although Dr Dillion was a very busy doctor, we found his care and advice to be excellent. We fortnightly have to travel to Perth for appointments and we are happy with the care we receive. The spinal clinic is very busy but the nurses, doctors and admin staff are always professional and caring. We do have to wait a very long time for the appointment, but I understand they are very busy.

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Responses

Response from Donna Hindmarsh, Operations Manager, East Kimberley, WACHS - Kimberley

Dear excellent care,

Thank you for telling us about the staff teamwork that supported your family's recent trip to Kununurra Hospital. We appreciate this has been a difficult experience for your family and we are pleased to know our team were able to provide a high level of care and support to ease the situation. Our clinical teams are highly skilled and put in a great deal of effort to provide care to stabilise patients prior to transfer. We rely on RFDS and Princess Margaret Hospital as part of our team to continue the great care we initiate prior to transfer. I will make sure that our staff are aware of your feedback. Thank you again, your story is very much appreciated.

Best wishes and I hope your child continues to improve.

Kind regards

Donna Hindmarsh

Operations Manger

East Kimberley Health Service

Kununurra

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Response from Michelle Dillon, Executive Director Princess Margaret Hospital, Child and Adolescent Health Service - WA

picture of Michelle Dillon

Dear excellent care

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on our service. I’m very sorry to hear of your child’s injury; this situation must have been extremely stressful for you both. I am pleased, however, that the care provided to you by our staff, in this most traumatic of circumstances, was excellent.

PMH aims to deliver exceptional care to every patient and family we see, and I am delighted to hear that, for your family, we have. Hearing that our staff were friendly and approachable, in addition to being helpful and professional, fills me with pride. I will be sure to pass your comments on to Dr Dillion, as well as the staff on Ward 5 and in the spinal clinic.

Furthermore, I have spoken to Professor Frank Daly, who is the Chief Executive of the Child and Adolescent Health Service, about your comments, and he also asked me to express his sincere thanks to you for your feedback, and passes on his best wishes for your child.

While it is true that our clinics are sometimes very busy, I would encourage you to check in with the administrative staff to find out how the day's schedule is progressing, particularly if you feel you have waited an unreasonably long period of time for your child to be seen.

Best wishes,

Michelle Dillon
Executive Director
Princess Margaret Hospital

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Updates, changes and questions related to this story

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