"Rehab / Spinal Allied Health"

I am writing to express my serious concerns regarding the care I received as both an inpatient and outpatient following a significant injury that resulted in sciatic nerve palsy, loss of sensation in my lower limbs, foot drop, and a substantial loss of mobility.

Following my acceptance into the rehabilitation program, I was committed to my recovery and attended multiple rehabilitation sessions each day in an effort to regain function and independence. Unfortunately, I felt that my hard work was not encouraged. Instead, it appeared that patients who demonstrated progress were viewed as candidates for early discharge rather than receiving genuinely person-centred care focused on achieving the best possible outcomes.

While I found many of the nursing staff compassionate and supportive, there were occasions where nurses themselves expressed concern regarding the advice and treatment I was receiving. Following interactions with a junior doctor, several nurses acknowledged that I appeared to be judged and penalised for actively participating in rehabilitation and attempting to maximise my recovery.

Of particular concern was the attitude and communication style of one medical practitioner who appeared to rely heavily on historical medical records and preconceived views rather than my current presentation and circumstances. During an extremely vulnerable period of my life, after I had lost sensation and function in my lower legs, I recall I was told: "Well, that's a life lesson." I found this comment insensitive, unprofessional, and wholly inappropriate for a patient coping with a life-changing injury.

My concerns extend beyond my inpatient admission. Since April, I have been waiting for Orthopaedics to provide an Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO), which is critical to assisting with my mobility and recovery. The ongoing delay has significantly impacted my rehabilitation progress and has left me feeling overlooked and forgotten within the system.

Throughout my care, I observed what appeared to be poor communication and coordination between medical, nursing, and allied health staff. The multidisciplinary approach that I believe should underpin rehabilitation care often felt absent. As a result, important information appeared to be missed, concerns were not adequately addressed, and continuity of care suffered. Ultimately, I believepatients bear the consequences when teams fail to communicate effectively.

I would like to acknowledge that the Nurse Unit Manager was approachable, professional, and appeared genuinely concerned about patient care. However, it seemed there were limitations to what could be addressed at the ward level, and many of the systemic issues originated from higher levels of medical and allied health management.

What began as disappointment with my inpatient experience has unfortunately been reinforced through my outpatient care. Rather than feeling supported throughout my recovery journey, I have felt neglected, dismissed, and lost within a system that should be focused on helping patients rebuild their lives after serious injury.

I believe these concerns warrant careful review to ensure future patients receive the person-centred, respectful, and coordinated rehabilitation care they deserve.