‘Bendigo hospital, we deserve a better health system than this’
Bendigo health’s emergency department triage, if you can even call it that, and mental health services are sub-standard – it is beyond a joke! My husband and I both being ex-psychiatric nurses and having worked in Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne hospitals are appalled.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
We know through experience how busy it can get, we know how hard the doctors and nurses work, and I am not blaming them in any way. This is about politics and management.
When you have had triple heart bypass surgery and present with left arm pain, you should not be left waiting 10 minutes for someone to attend the triage desk, because they are busy with an ambulance patient.
The triage desk should never be unattended and I know of people who have died of heart attacks (not at Bendigo that I know of).
If a young person is suicidal and the siblings are at home distressed, you don’t send that young person home in a taxi or do so without even consulting family.
Society is supposed to be becoming more aware and accepting of mental health disorders, but how can it be when the so-called professionals just sweep people under the carpet?
People are feeling there is no-one to help them or if they do reach out they get doors slammed in their faces. People are turning to suicide as an answer because they don’t get the help they need.
Read more
In a recent case, a friend recently presented to emergency and was eventually admitted. His GP referred him believing he had gallstones. He was told he was “too fat” for an ultrasound.
He had stopped vomiting as he had been given medication, so doctors at Bendigo health decided the next day he was OK for discharge. His pain had subsided due to medication, he was still sweating profusely, but they rang his wife, who was in Melbourne at the time, insisting she pick him up. She is his carer, but they wanted to send him home alone, offering to organise a locksmith to help him get in. His wife was told by the doctor she had “no right” to go to Melbourne when her husband was so sick!
But of course, he was well enough for discharge.
Whilst she was on her way back to collect him, a second opinion was sought. She was advised when she got back to Bendigo that he wouldn’t be going home and that he would be having surgery to remove the gallbladder!
These are dangerous and negligent practices. We should have and deserve a better healthcare system than this.
Janine Newman, Huntly
Early learning centre a boon for area
Great to see the new early learning centre is about to open and to see the improved traffic flows at the Strathfieldsaye Rd and Tannery Lane intersection.
Congratulations to all concerned and to those from the Strathfieldsaye community who provided input for both of these developments and local contractors who worked on the intersection.
Colin Burns, Strathfieldsaye
Read more
- Early learning to shine bright
- New pre-school comes in time for suburb growth
Have your say
All letters must include name, address and telephone numbers. Send letters to PO Box 61, Bendigo 3552 or via bendigoadvertiser.com.au
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.