"Recent general surgical appointment."

I recently attended Albany Health Campus for a surgical opinion on a rectocele/prolapse. I had waited 18 months for this appointment. My gynaecologist (AHC) requested the review in order to help with care planning for my pelvic floor collapse and issues.

I was reviewed by a resident doctor who although was very nice, realised what I’d come in for and said that this will be awkward. By that I think they were embarrassed about the prospect of performing a PR exam. I reassured them that it was ok. The doctor offered me a chaperone, All good. However the doctor only lifted my cheek and said they couldn’t see anything hanging out without further examination. They then said they'd talk to their boss ( the surgeon) who was in the middle of a procedure.

The surgeon couldn’t review me and suggested a colonoscopy. I was a bit thrown by this. Paper work was signed but after a few days I got a letter saying that I was on the list for this procedure as a cat 3. Non urgent obviously and another long wait indicated. So in summary, I am really unhappy that after such a long wait for this appointment, I was not examined properly, and waitlisted for a unnecessary invasive procedure to give an opinion on something I believe that could have been done in the rooms that day.

To top it off I had to drive 150km from Broomehill to attend an appointment with literally no examination. Whilst everyone concerned at the hospital were delightfully polite, Albany Health Campus…. You should do better! It should not take another 12 months ( which will make it 24 months in total) for an opinion on a rectocele / prolapse, nor do I believe it should take a colonoscopy to give such an opinion.