"Internal communication"

I was transferred to Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) after a 'neuro' event coming out of surgery at another hospital. I was admitted onto the Acute Surgical Ward (who were amazing). I needed to be reviewed by neurology prior to me being discharged.

Initially, Neurology came down to the Emergency Department when I was taken in, however, answered a phone call and then never came back to follow up.

After 2 days of waiting, another Neurology Reg came and saw me. They took another day to come up with any plan and finally sent me for an EEG. They then stated I would need an Outpatient (OP) MRI and to be followed up within 3 months via telephone (because I am a country patient). I was then discharged, got my MRI and started to wait.

The Reg had said I would receive a phone call in ~1 month to confirm an appointment within the next 3 months. One month passed and I had heard nothing. I contacted Neurology who stated there was not even a referral put in for me to be seen as an OP. I believe this was rectified and they said I would be contacted soon for an appointment.

Almost 2 months later, still waiting. I contacted them again who stated there were no instructions to book an appointment. The clerk, very nicely, booked an appointment in the next available time slot, which I was grateful for. However, stated I would need to make the trip to Perth for the appointment.

Again, I explained that I was told I would be able to have a telephone/Telehealth appointment as I am in the country. I was placed on hold while this was discussed and then told this would be possible. I expressed my frustrations to the clerk, explaining all that had happened from admission to now. She stated that the inpatient neurology team had not communicated correctly with the clinic and so it seems I would have likely been lost in the system if I had not followed up.

I feel this is not appropriate for the health service. I should not have had to follow up or been lost in the system because of the incompetence, in my opinion, of the junior medical staff at the hospital. I am very disappointed with the terrible patient care that I felt had occurred and based on my experience, it has made me never want to return to RPH.