Making an Aishwarya’s CARE Call

• If you have concerns talk to the nurse, midwife, doctor or allied health professional who is caring for you or your loved one.
• If you still have concerns, ask to speak to the senior person in charge.
• If your concerns have still not been addressed, you can make an Aishwarya’s CARE Call by calling the Aishwarya’s CARE Call number for the region of the health service you are attending.
• Aboriginal Liaison Officers and translation services are available to support you if you need.

Why is it called Aishwarya’s CARE Call?

Following the tragic death of Aishwarya Aswath at Perth Children’s Hospital in April 2021, WA Health rebranded its existing CARE Call service in Aishwarya’s honour. 

WA Health worked closely with Aishwarya’s parents to implement the change. All materials used to promote Aishwarya’s CARE Call have been created in bright colours, with the logo in pink to reflect Aishwarya’s favourite colour.

What happens when I make an Aishwarya’s CARE Call?

Your call will be answered by a senior member of our staff. After listening to your concerns, the staff member will take what action is required to address your concerns; for example, they may contact the treating doctor or other members of the healthcare team to ensure you or the person you are concerned about is assessed and any necessary changes to the treatment plan are carried out. The person who receives your call will keep you updated as to what action has been taken.

Will staff be offended if I make an Aishwarya’s CARE Call?

Not at all. WA Country Health Service staff empower patients, their families and carers to be part of decisions about their healthcare. We want you to feel safe to speak up when you have concerns about yourself or your loved one’s medical treatment to ensure we provide the best possible care.

We understand that you know yourself, or the person we are caring for, best.

Karen from the Midwest thanks the CARE Call process for saving her daughter’s life.

In late 2018, Karen’s daughter Amy was admitted to an emergency department in the Midwest with severe abdominal pain. Analgesia (pain-relieving medication) helped to alleviate some of Amy’s pain, however not all of it. When doctors advised that Amy had a cyst on her ovary they said she could be discharged with mild pain-relieving medication. Karen didn’t agree that her daughter should be discharged when she was clearly still in extreme pain.

"I know my kid," Karen said.

"Amy is one tough cookie so for her to be crying in pain like that I knew there was something terribly wrong and she shouldn’t be leaving hospital."

"I asked the nurse for the CARE Call phone number and during the call to the senior staff member I requested a gynaecological consult for my daughter," she added.

Karen had barely hung up from the CARE Call before a gynaecologist arrived to thoroughly assess Amy.

"The gynaecologist confirmed my suspicion that something serious was wrong and Amy was booked in for urgent surgery the following day."

"You know your body best and you know your child."

"If you think something isn’t right then it’s important to say so to the doctors and nurses and use CARE Call if you feel your concerns need to be escalated," Karen added.

Aishwarya’s CARE Call numbers

Each WA Country Health Service region has a single phone number for Aishwarya’s CARE Calls: