Weather is looking better nowadays - more sun than rain, but we're expecting another wave major rain so it's gonna be gloomy for a while.

My 2 month old had a vomiting spree recently and the helpline we called told us to go to the children's emergency - which we picked Children's Hospital at Westmead emergency centre. Reached at midnight and only one parent could go in, so I was mostly roaming around until I got booted out to car as was told there was a 5 hour wait time.

Wife was told there were only 2 docs on the shift and was finally called in at 6am. The doctor only came into see her and kiddo at 8am where she was told the there was 1 doc at 6am as it was the end of the 2nd doc's shift. Kiddo was diagnosed with mild bronchiolitis and then sent home without any meds. Wife, kiddo and myself caught a cold (suspected from another patient) from the ordeal. The conclusion is to go in the morning for emergencies unless your child is in a critical condition and can skip the queue.

This is something that everyone living in Australia has to accept. When you check into Casualty, there is a triage nurse there who will do the initial diagnosis and their main aim is to make sure YOU DO NOT DIE. If you are in terrible pain, they will give you some painkillers. Don't forget there are a lot of drug addicts in there so the nurses have to be sure they are not in danger as well.

I have been fairly healthy so i have not needed to use the Casualty ward (also call the Emergency Ward) but for those who may need the govt health system (funded under Medicare), you may have to endure a little. However the wait is probably the only negative as the staff is extremely professional and most nurses there are good. I know the medical system there are there are a few doctors in my badminton group (a very closely-knit group).

I have never needed to go to a public hospital in Malaysia (i probably wouldn't need to go as my wife and i have the financial resources to go private) so i cannot make a comparison.