"Delay in surgery"

I am a relative of the patient who is a resident in regional WA.

Earlier last year, a suprapubic catheter (SPC) was inserted at the local hospital for urinary retention and was flown to Royal Perth Hospital (RPH). This was then changed to an in-dwelling catheter (IDC) by the urology team at RPH and was sent back home. Upon return to the local hospital, trialed on passing urine, but failed. SPC reinserted.

The next month, a tele-health appointment with a Dr from RPH proceeded and at that appointment, it was discussed with my relative, myself and home-care nurse as to the options going forward, they being:

1.  Permanent SPC; or

2.  Self catheterisation; or

3.  Buccal urethroplasty.

My relative and I discussed the above options and they eventually settled on option 3 being the best option for them. 

The following month, my relative was again flown to RPH and had a cystoscopy. They were required to self-isolate in Hotel quarantine before being allowed to return home. Whilst in self-quarantine, they had many obstacles to overcome with limited understanding of self-changing/cleaning the bag.

During that period to current, my relative has been attending the local regional hospital once per week to have the incision and bag changed and cleaned. 

A few weeks ago, another tele-health appointment was arranged with another Dr from RPH. We were of the understanding that this was to book in their operation for the buccal urethroplasty. Unfortunately, it was just another appointment to discuss the patient's options. I felt the Dr had no knowledge of the previous tele-health appointment with the other Dr or that the options had previously been discussed with the patient. During this appointment, the Dr said that it would be some months (more than two months) before my relative could expect the operation to occur. 

For something that was to be a temporary solution, I feel the delay is totally unacceptable given that the patient is a senior person with limited intellect from an acquired ABI in their early/mid 20's. I understand and appreciate the restrictions placed on RPH surgeries due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I request that this matter be investigated and given high priority given the circumstances.