BULLETIN
COLLIE RIVER VALLEY Published by LOCALS for LOCALS
Silverchain cuts EDITION No. 136
Thursday, June 8, 2023
$2.50
Aged patients suffering amid reduced care
PLAYGROUND PJs
Amaroo Primary School students Oscar Kaurin, Leeroy Whelan, Willow De Bont and Amarni Coyle (front) wore pyjamas to school last Tuesday as part of a fundraising day for the school’s World Vision child, Sok Heng. See page 5.
Reporter: NOLA GREEN COLLIE residents Ed and Eileen Riley are among a group of elderly locals affected by restricted medical support services being offered in town. What was once a support service offered by Silverchain 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is now available only three days a week. Nursing staff travel from Bunbury and Busselton to provide services in Collie. This means elderly and infirm patients still living at home are only offered support for showering and dressing changes on the three days of the service. This is particularly distressing for Eileen, who is a retired sister of what was formerly known as Silver Chain. Mrs Riley spent the couple’s 62nd wedding anniversary and also Mother’s Day changing her husband’s cancer dressings. “I worked for Silver Chain for many years, so I know how it used to operate,” Mrs Riley said. “There were five cars in Collie, and five or six sisters, and we used to call on people seven days a week, on weekends and at night. “Tommy Jones (former member of parliament) started it and there was a strong committee, including Dave Allnutt, the bank manager. Money was raised by donations locally.” To add insult to injury, during a period of two years when Silverchain was not providing the service to change dress-
ings, the Rileys had to buy them themselves. That issue has now been resolved, but not before the Rileys were considerably out of pocket. Mrs Riley said silverchain insisted they could not change the dressings unless her husband’s wounds were documented through photographs. “They wanted to take a photo of his wounds, but he was embarrassed about this, and they said we couldn’t have free dressings unless Silverchain did them,” Mrs Riley said. The Rileys have met with Silverchain to discuss the issue. “The sisters are very good, very nice, but what if it was an incontinent old lady, and she could only have showers three times a week?” she said. Mr Riley pointed to the heightened risk of infection if cancerous growths and wounds are not attended to daily. Last month, he wrote to the State Minister for Health, Amber-Jade Sanderson, about the matter. “In 85 years, I have written one letter to the Minister for Health and made one phone call,” Mr Riley said. “To date, busy staff have not got back. “Many Collie people have supported my attempts to get a better deal with the WA Government and Silverchain to restore the service that was previously available.” Mr Riley intends to also contact federal member Rick Wilson to seek his help. Silverchain seeks donations - page 5.
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