This is Care Opinion [siteRegion]. Did you want Care Opinion [usersRegionBasedOnIP]?
Care Opinion

Refused by the public system

Posted By left behind

"Refused by the public system"

About: Sydney / Sydney Eye Hospital

(as the patient),

I recently went to Sydney Eye Hospital in hopes that they would be able to help me with my ongoing and worsening eye condition. I had been to a private specialist who had produced a report on the issue. I have been suffering from severe double vision and it is only getting worse with time.

On the visit the doctors tested for everything they could, looking for the cause of the problem. After completing all these tests they stated that although they had been able to see that double vision was occurring that they weren’t able to tell me why. I presented the report from the specialist and the doctor read through this. They noted that the issue was not in my brain (I had suffered from an aneurysm some time ago), but rather my retina.

At this point they told me that I should go back to my specialist as they were better to perform the required surgery and that I should not return to Sydney Eye Hospital. The specialist is very expensive and I cannot afford the cost of the surgery - this is why I went to Sydney Eye Hospital. With my eyesight deteriorating and a lack of money to get the surgery through private channels, what am I supposed to do when the public system refuses me?

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Pauline Rumma, Director, Clinical Services, Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital 7 years ago
Pauline Rumma
Director, Clinical Services,
Sydney and Sydney Eye Hospital

Submitted on 6/10/2017 at 4:58 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 5:02 PM

Dear left behind,

Firstly I thank you for posting your story on Patient Opinion and I am sorry that your experience has not provided you clarity as to the next steps in your health care journey. From what you describe it sounds like the doctors have reviewed your eye condition and then referred you back to the private specialist who has treated you previously for an ongoing treatment plan. Please be assured that the Emergency Department at Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital provides 24 hour a day service and I encourage you to return if you have any further concerns or your eye condition worsens.

We would welcome further follow up with you, we can be contacted on email on SESLHD-ExecutiveServices@health.nsw.gov.au. Please accept my apologies for your experience and I hope to hear from you soon.

Kind regards

Dr Rumma

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k