BaptistCare Warena Centre (Baptist Care)

Clare Williams

I’ve been to a number of nursing homes, and as nursing homes go, Warena is quite good. My mum spent the final 3 months of her life at Warena, in Waratah House. The home is bright and airy and is warmly finished. The Reception staff are helpful and friendly and I found the cleaning at the home was quite good. The caring staff seemed generally more experienced than at other homes, and quite willing to engage with the residents and the family. The nurses were well-intentioned, but I did find that sometimes follow-up was required to see that small changes/requests in patient care were carried through. The food was acceptable – but I wouldn’t say it was the best. One negative aspect I feel it is important to share is our experience with the GP assigned to look after my mum, Dr Giles. We were very dissatisfied with Dr Giles. She was not at all pro-active or interested in seeing to my mum’s medical needs. Rather, she deferred responsibility of care to a geriatrician which she failed to organise in the 10 weeks before mum's death at only 67 yrs. Dr Giles refused to prescribe mum any new pain medication, and left my mum to suffer to the point she would wail in distress. I pleaded with Dr Giles to do something, but she deflected and said let’s wait for the geriatrician. Dr Giles showed no empathy towards her patient or the family. She could have helped my mum, rather she did very little and left her in pain.

Magdy Meilad

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