"My child's leg fractures seen by specialist too late"

My teenage child injured their leg from a bike accident not too long ago. On examining the ankle, I could see they had more than likely fractured at least one if not more bones.

We took my child into Quairading Hospital where they were attended to by nurses and a telehealth doctor in a timely manner although there were some difficulties with the telehealth video connection with the doctor.

X-rays were taken at our small rural hospital by a seemingly caring and compassionate nurse who was called in to perform them. I recall that we were warned they were basic x-rays but the telehealth doctor said that two simple fractures in the distal 1/3 tibia and fibula could be seen. The telehealth doctor ordered a back slab cast be applied and informed us that further x-rays would be required along with consultation from a doctor at Perth Children’s Hospital within the next couple of days.

A couple of days later, we had heard nothing but received copies of the x-rays which to me showed another fracture in the base of the fibula. I phoned the Quairading Hospital who as I understand it, were unable to help me and said that PCH would be in touch so I took my child into the Emergency Department at PCH and explained the situation. A doctor came and attended to us. The cast was left in place, the doctor reviewed the x-rays and said that they were fine and gave us a card to make an appointment the next day to see the PCH Orthopaedics Clinic.

The next day, when I went to make an appointment, I was told the first available appointment would be in several days time. I explained the situation and that my child needed something earlier but being a central booking service, it seemed they were unable to assist.

I phoned the school health centre that my child boards at and asked them about the situation. They voiced their concerns as well and said I should be able to get a copy of the x-ray reports and to forward them on to them so they were aware of my child's injuries when my child went back to school. I then phoned Quairading Hospital explaining the situation and asked if I could at least get a copy of the radiologist’s report. I believe that this was not possible until a Freedom of Information Form could be completed and approved, but the Health Service Manager was able to send through a copy of the referral mailed to me for follow up. In the referral it noted my child had a fractured the right distal 1/3 fibula and tip of lateral malleolus.

The following day, Telehealth contacted me to organize a follow up x-ray for my child. I explained the situation and by that stage was very emotional and frantic trying to get someone to see my child. The wonderful nurse I dealt with organised for PCH to contact me. PCH contacted me but the earliest they could see my child was in two days time as the department was not open until then.

My child finally received the follow up x-rays a week after the accident and the specialist explained to us that my child had fractured and dislocated the right distal tibial growth plate and that they should have been seen earlier. I recall the specialist told us that to be totally honest, this should have been operated on earlier but it is too late now as any intervention could further damage the growth plate.

When the back slab cast was removed, my child's ankle was still very swollen and had a very small wound that the specialist said may have come from the tibia when the injury occurred. I was devastated after having tried all week to get someone at the hospital to take more x-rays and review the injuries. My child is still in a back slab cast awaiting a fiberglass cast when the swelling has gone down. We are to be reviewed in the coming days.

I am still yet to receive in the mail the referral for the follow up by PCH that the Health Service Manager had said had been sent. Being a rural patient, I feel it is easy to get lost in the system and my child has suffered the consequences despite my efforts.

I compare the outcome with my child’s rural friend who I recall was boarding in Perth when they injured their leg from a bike accident late in the afternoon and was, I understand, able to have the necessary x-rays that day so was able to have surgery straight away. I was willing to take my child to PCH straight away and even fronted up a couple of days later desperate to get treatment but having commenced my child's treatment rurally I believe I was given a second-rate service.

I hope no other child and parent has to go through the distress, frustration and treatment we feel we have had to.