"Discharged from fracture clinic with no follow-up"

I broke my toe recently. I presented to the Rockingham Emergency Department for an X-ray and plan to assist the healing process. A fracture to my toe was confirmed and I was told to buddy strap my toe and wear a stiff shoe like converse and that it should heal in approx 4-6 weeks. My foot was swollen and quite painful from bruising so I couldn't get it into a shoe. After 6 weeks of buddy strapping I felt as though there was no change to the pain in my toe, it is painful as rest and while weight-bearing.

I requested an Xray from my GP to check if the fracture was healing or displaced. The Xray showed a displaced fracture so my GP referred me to the Rockingham General Hospital (RGH) Fracture Clinic for assessment and whether a reduction of the fractured bone was warranted. I was reviewed recently at RGH Fracture Clinic by a doctor who I believe was the registrar, they were polite in their consultation however I found the feedback vague. I was told that I should continue buddy strapping, to wear trainers/closed in shoes and that my fractured toe would likely be painful between 3 - 6 months. I told them I have 2 young kids and that the pain was limiting and that I need to know it will heal and not continue to cause pain. I asked if there are any movements I should avoid and was initially told any movements that will exacerbate the fracture, I had to ask again what this meant for more specific advice. I asked if I would be followed up and they said no as they wouldn't do anything for a fracture like mine anyway. During the consultation, the doctor went to speak with their boss (I presume this was the consultant). After they came back they confirmed the plan as above. This left me wondering why they were ambivalent and required confirmation from the consultant as if there was some doubt.

I have since consulted a podiatrist who informed me that, evidence suggests fractures like the one I sustained warrant referral to an orthopaedic surgeon after accute management and provision of an offloading shoe. Instead I had to seek out a referral to the fracture clinic myself after more than 6 weeks of pain. There is a Cochrane review covering lessor toe fractures, if more than 25% of the joint is involved you should have an ortho review. I believe my toe has 30+% joint fracture.

I have requested my GP to refer me to the Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Team at another hospital for a second opinion. I feel let down by the initial assessment and advice from ED and in the Fracture Clinic. It has been more than 6 weeks and on Xray my toe fracture shows no signs of healing and is still displaced, yet I am sent away with the same plan.