"Ongoing lack of care"

A few years ago, as a result of chemotherapy medications and dialysis I believe, my blood pressure dropped significantly in the shower and I fell/passed out. The pain was excruciating and although I could feel my legs, I could not move. After a few hours and assistance from St. John ambulance, I made it back to bed. My spouse dosed me up on analgesia and there I stayed for a couple of nights. 

I attended my Dialysis appointment in the morning at RPH and as soon as they saw me, I believe I was a code blue. After dialysis, I was transferred to ward 9c. Apparently, staff thought I had had a stroke. Doctors came in to see me and organised X rays. I requested one on my back as it hurt so much. I felt the pain was a constant 15/10. I was later informed that I had a stable crush fracture to L1 of my spine.

During the night, I had to request log rolls (as per spinal precautions). As agency staff changed each night, I felt I kept having to ask. About the third night, I was told I no longer required log rolls as I was stable. OT and Physio visited and cleared me to be discharged. I felt I could hardly walk and was in pain. I asked for a brace (standard practice spinal precautions) but I was refused as I had a stable crush fracture!

Over the following months, I felt my back pain increased. I requested a spinal referral from my GP (wasn’t my normal Dr as they weren’t working) but somehow I never got one. A few months later, I asked my haematologist to refer me to the spinal team. Again I heard nothing!

I paid to see someone else a few months after that. They informed me that there was nothing they could do as my stable crush was now a disintegrating wedge. They referred me to a pain specialist who also said there was nothing they could do to help me.

I believe that had the injury been monitored, it may have been possible to have treatment to prevent what’s now happened. Later in the year, I received a letter from RPH asking if I still required to see spinal. I replied in the affirmative. On the day of the appointment, I was kept waiting (in excruciating pain) for approx 2.5 hours (my appointment was for the morning). I believe the Spinal RMO was concerned about my circumstances so they called the spinal surgeon, to come in and see me. The surgeon said I now had a kyphosis of 22 degrees and if they performed surgery it would come with a significant risk. They also stated they felt like any metalwork would not hold now. Both admitted to me that I should have been discharged with a Hewitt brace, and that I should have been called for a follow-up outpatient appointment in 3 months. I believe it was noted that the Doctors on ward 9c failed to send Spinal a referral for me.

I feel had these steps been taken, the worsening condition of my spine would have been noted and action taken to prevent it worsening. The surgeon said I should be seen again in 3 months. The doctor gave me a yellow slip to hand in and had written on the top that I was to have the 1st appointment and was not to be kept waiting.

Two weeks ago, I noticed I had not received a spinal appointment. I called RPH and was told an appointment had been made. I had not received any notification of this appointment, therefore, as I would not have turned up, I would have been marked as not attending and forgotten about again.

Words cannot express the anger I feel for the lack of appropriate treatment and care I have received from RPH. I feel my future life quality has been ruined through no fault of my own. I asked for a brace, I asked for a spinal referral! I have had to retire through ill health. I have no income and no demerits, nothing from Centrelink (God knows I have tried). I find now I have hundreds of dollars of expense for medication and in the future, I am going to need assistance in my home (cleaning, etc.) and with ADO’s and I cannot afford these expenses.

Quite bluntly, I think RPH are responsible and should find a way to assist me with them, after all, had I received adequate and timescale, I believe I would not be in this position now. 

My life quality ruined and it can only extrovert get worse. I am very angry that you thought it acceptable to do this to me.