"Patient travel"

I was admitted to Cairns Base Hospital recently having stroke-like symptoms. All services provided in getting me there, from another hospital via paramedics to be taken to the airport, from the airport by the Flying doctor to Cairns and then by paramedics to Cairns Base Hospital where I was admitted.

Throughout this, the people involved were very caring and very professional and it seemed as if I was the only patient to them that day. The same dedication, care and expertise was shown by the two attending doctors and all ward staff regarding my illness at all times. This even includes those that deliver meals and keep the ward spotless. I was admitted on a weekend. After a few procedures (MRI etc) later in the week, I had a spinal tap and was told that I could go home.

Nursing staff tried to contact Patient Travel and when the phone did get eventually answered they were told sorry not enough time and yet it was 3 hours or so before the last plane left for where I was flown in from. The next morning the Team Leader faxed Patient Travel with the paperwork for me to travel home that day. I have then showered, packed and got ready to go thinking it would be a morning flight. The hours passed with the team leader spending a huge amount of time trying to sort out this fiasco with Patient Travel out. Sometime shortly after midday, I was told that Torres Strait and Cape Travel had just got the fax and that I wouldn't be going. All that time for fax to travel that far? This tells me that they do not, I believe, check their faxes or as I now firmly believe, don't care. It came to 3 o'clock with nursing staff trying to get me home but I believe Torres Strait and Cape Travel wouldn't answer their phone.

The team leader then took me down to the Transit Lounge to again very efficient people who did their best to get me on the last flight home. This also turned out to be a non-event even with their best efforts and around later in the afternoon I was told I would have to return to the ward. At this time I am totally stressed out and even considered hitch-hiking. I eventually got home the next day.

I personally, in a previous experience, have given the travel manager at my local hospital Doctors Patient Travel forms 3+ weeks before the travel date. Then I have to start phoning the hospital as I haven't heard anything back. Once after them having the forms submitted for over 3 weeks, I found out late in the afternoon that I would be flying out 1st flight early the next morning. The other thing that has happened is that because of the incompetence and lack of care from Torres Strait and Cape Travel (in my opinion) I have had to pay for my own flights and accommodation and then wait weeks to get reimbursed as well as getting hit with GST for the flights.

I never thought that 1 department in an otherwise 1st class hospital could cause so many problems and I believe I am not the only one. Please give them a shake-up as I feel they are a blight on your hospital.

Having said this I still have the greatest respect and admiration for all of the people who made my path to recovery a personal task for them. Bless them all. Many thanks. Best wishes and kind regards.