Patient in hospital TV row

By Rebecca Fraser
THE daughter of an elderly Cranbourne woman has lashed out at the new Casey Hospital after being denied access to a TV.
The 78yearold is suffering from pneumonia and fluid on the lungs and has been staying in the hospital as a private patient for a week.
Her daughter, Norma Murphy, said her mother, who does not wish to be named, was having trouble sleeping after being told she could not have a television in her room.
Ms Murphy said her mother had also been forced to eat with plastic knives, forks and crockery because that was all the hospital had and they were served bread instead of toast for breakfast.
“The hospital staff have been wonderful and have done so much for us but the only problem is that there are no television sets in the rooms.
“You cannot hire a TV either and we even bought a battery operated portable one straight out of the box but were told we could not have one because of occupational health and safety and because it might start a fire.
“It just had batteries for God’s sake,” she said.
Ms Murphy said the only televisions available were in communal sitting rooms and the chairs were not suitable for her mother.
“My mother has breathing problems and has sleep apnoea.
“It is not severe but mild but if she sits in a chair and falls asleep I am worried that she will fall A over T.
“Television is like her sleeping tablet and it is her routine to fall asleep watching TV.
“She is going stir crazy without it,” she said.
Ms Murphy said that she understood that the hospital was new and may not have the funds to equip each room with a television.
But she added that Casey Hospital should then make provisions for people to bring in their own television set or hire one.
“For a brand new hospital it is just so outlandishly stupid and I was just so taken aback that she could not have a television.
“I asked four people at the hospital why and they gave four different answers.
“We bought the portable one for her but now she cannot have it.
“My daughter has leukaemia and stays at The Alfred where there is a TV but you pay for it,” she said.
The executive director of Casey Hospital Peter Faulkner said the hospital was moving closer to finalising the television tender to provide permanently fitted televisions for which the hospital building was designed.
“We expect this to be finalised by January 2006. Televisions are provided in common areas throughout the hospital.
“Until recently patients were able to use private televisions, but this raised a number of occupational health and safety concerns, so we have discontinued the practice. We apologise for any inconvenience during this transition period.
Casey Hospital is currently trailling fully recyclable tray wear, including cutlery. This trial has the potential for substantial environmental benefits such as a significant reduction in the use of water.
“As part of the trial and evaluation of the recyclable wear, we are grateful for user feedback and will ensure such feedback is included in the evaluation.”
He also noted that Casey Hospital had no record of the consumer’s complaint being presented to the Complaints Liaison Officer. He said Casey Hospital makes available to all consumers information on how to provide feedback at a local level in order that Casey Hospital can address any concerns.