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"Lack of communication, my waiting time turned into days."

About: Maroondah Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

I got admitted to hospital recently to be told my operation for my 3 week old broken collarbone would be on the following day. I fasted from 12am till 7pm (the following night), to be told I would not be getting operated on. That's 19 hours without food or water.

They then said my operation would occur the next day, so fasting then happened again. This time it got till 8pm (still waiting, wondering if I would get operated on). No communication was given to me whatsoever for the second day. I was left unknown yet again if I would be operated on.

By this time I was so upset, anxious & angry to what I was going to be told. I ended up leaving the hospital on my third day. Walking out as they still didn't know when I was going to be operated on.

No communication!

More about:

Responses

Response from David Plunkett, Chief Executive, Eastern Health

picture of David Plunkett

Dear Waiting for days

Thank you so much for taking the time to provide your feedback on Patient Opinion. I would like to apologise for your experience, the lack of communication that no doubt compounded the time spent waiting for surgery.

I would really like to be able to have your experience fully investigated and would encourage you to make contact with the Eastern Health Centre for Patient Experience either via our website (www.easternhealth.org.au), email feedback@easternhealth.org.au or via phone at 1800 EASTERN. If you choose not to make contact, I completely understand.

I hope the surgery on your collarbone did occur and that you are now on the road to recovery.

Again, my sincerest apologies.

Kind regards

David

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