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I'm at a loss for words at the waiting times for surgery

Posted By Hursty63

"I'm at a loss for words at the waiting times for surgery"

About: The Townsville Hospital

(as a relative),

My spouse has been waiting for a consultation at the Townsville Hospital re their knees for two years with not one phone call to schedule this. My spouse's GP has sent letters stressing this be done ASAP as my spouse lives with constant pain every day to the point that they fall over at work because they can't lift their legs and their state of depression deepening.

Now what has really irked us is that a patient came to my work place a couple of weeks ago - she was recovering from a knee reconstruction she had eight weeks ago - I asked how long she had been on waiting list - she said one year and had passed up an appt to have knee done through private hospital ( to clear waiting lists) last year because she was going overseas on holiday. How can the hospital justify this - of interest she was my age (my spouse's retirement is still 10-15 years away). They need their knees fixed now. I'm truly at a loss for words!

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Responses

Response from Julie Shepherd, Nurse Manager Patient Experience, Patient Services; Clinical Governance Directorate, Townsvillle Hospital and Health Services 8 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Julie Shepherd
Nurse Manager Patient Experience, Patient Services; Clinical Governance Directorate,
Townsvillle Hospital and Health Services

Submitted on 28/10/2015 at 5:31 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 29/10/2015 at 11:36 AM

Dear Hursty63,

Thank you for sharing your story on Patient Opinion and I am sorry to read about your experience in regard to your spouse’s wait for a consultation about their knees coupled with their deteriorating physical and mental health.

I would like the opportunity to further discuss your experience and attempt to discover a way to follow–up.

I encourage you to contact our staff in our Client Liaison Office on 44331074 to discuss your circumstances further.

Once again, I am sorry that you have had this experience with our service and I would like you to know that hearing stories such as yours is actually really helpful in terms of highlighting where we need to improve.

With kind regards,

Julie Shepherd

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Update posted by Hursty63 (a relative)

Thank you Julie for responding to my letter.

Just to let you and the public users know that the next morning after posting this letter my spouse had a call from The Townsville Hospital and has now an appointment next week. Not sure if this was by shear coincidence or not but we really appreciate that this site was made available to patients and let's hope my spouse's treatment will start sooner than later.

Regards Hursty1963

Response from Julie Shepherd, Nurse Manager Patient Experience, Patient Services; Clinical Governance Directorate, Townsvillle Hospital and Health Services 8 years ago
Julie Shepherd
Nurse Manager Patient Experience, Patient Services; Clinical Governance Directorate,
Townsvillle Hospital and Health Services

Submitted on 2/11/2015 at 4:20 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 5:22 PM

Dear Hursty1963,

That's terrific news!

I am very happy for your spouse and yourself also of course; to now face a future of hope and brighter things to come can be life changing.

I wish you both all the very best.

Thanks for letting me know,

with kind regards,

Julie Shepherd

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
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