"Disrespect of regional patients"

Approximately 12 years ago, I had a fall from a roof whilst carrying out renovation works. This may or may not be relevant but shortly after I started having problems with my legs. Whilst carrying out works above my head my legs would start trembling severely. I carried out my task working off my knees. After that I noticed my legs were getting weaker. Over the years my legs continued to get weaker and I found myself struggling to stand for any period of time. In the event of me standing, my calves would harden and I would have pain down my shins. As time went on I also began having back pains that I believe are associated with my leg problems.

Approximately seven years ago, I saw a spinal surgeon whose view was that spinal injections in the lower back would fix the back thus fix the legs. However, I felt the injections made no difference to my back or legs. Four years later, I found that I could no longer carry out my duties at my previous workplace and thus retired from that position and relocated to Broome.

For a little over 3 years now I have been seeing a Dr in Broome who diagnosed my leg problems as being bilateral sciatica and on two occasions referred me to Broome Hospital Radiology for spinal injections to ease the back pains. I believe these spinal injections failed to work. Around this time, I was capable of walking approximately 500 meters, I now struggle to walk and am using a walking aid to assist me.

Early last year, my Dr in Broome referred me to the Department of Neurosurgery at SCGH. A couple months after, I met with a physiotherapist at the Neurosurgery SCGH who planned further investigations and face to face assessment.

A few months after this, I attended the clinic at SCGH and in correspondence to my Dr back in Broome, I recall the physiotherapist wrote that they had discussed the case with a neurosurgeon at SCGH who believed that I should be worked up potentially for either a posterior or anterior approach, decompression and fusion.

Three months after this, I attended the clinic in Perth at SCGH and met with said neurosurgeon. As I understand it, they advised me that they had changed their mind and would not be carrying out the laminectomy as previously discussed. I can’t recall them giving me a reason but my Dr in Broome believes they considered the operation to be too risky. I was disappointed and angry that I had been called to Perth to meet this neurosurgeon only to be told that they apparently had a change of mind. Whilst PATS covers the cost of most expenses, it seemed senseless for me to travel to Perth from Broome for something that I felt could have been done by letter or over the phone. It took another six months before I was contacted by Department of Neurosurgery, this time by phone, advising me that I required another MRI and that I would be referred to a neurologist.

A few weeks ago, I received an appointment letter advising that I had an appointment at Neurosurgery Outpatient Clinic SCGH to see a certain neurologist. I took the correspondence to my Dr who filled out the appropriate PATS form.

On the day of my appointment, I presented at the clinic as required. I arrived about an hour early and gave my appointment letter to the receptionist who took the letter and told me to take a seat, which I did. I believe I watched for two hours or more as it felt like people came and went, came and went. Eventually when there were only about a few patients left in the clinic, a nurse approached me and asked who I was there to see. I told the nurse I was there to see the neurologist I had been referred to. It seemed the nurse then scurried off and another person came out and called me into an office. I was not informed as to the professional status of this clinic employee but I understand they were not the neurologist I was referred to. The clinician advised me that they couldn’t see any problems from the MRI report. The clinician then proceeded to carry out some tests on me whilst I was lying down. I thought I made it clear to the clinician that my problems were when I was standing and walking. I felt this should have been obvious as I was walking with the assistance of a walking aid. I remember no tests were done whilst I was standing or walking. In my opinion, it is clear that the clinician never listened to what I told them or checked my notes because in the signing of the PATS Specialist Certification Form, it appeared to me that the clinician wrote that I was unable to sit for period of time due to extreme discomfort. I thought I had made it clear that the problems are when I stand and when I walk. The clinician advised me that I would receive a phone call in three months' time. I then left the office.

There are a number of points here. One, it is clear to me that health professionals do not respect their patients. I feel that they do not respect regional patients or the PATS system. From my experience, they do not understand that for a regional patient to attend a Perth Clinic it may be a three day operation, or more. Even though the PATS system is good, patients can be left substantially financially worse off. There were many questions that I wished to ask the neurologist I thought I was referred to regarding my future expectations and medication questions which the clinician I saw advised that I should ask my GP. Obviously to me, the clinician doesn’t believe this neurologist can answer these concerns and questions that I have. I am angry that I feel I am treated so poorly and will be forwarding this correspondence to my Dr in Broome and my Local MLA.

I hope my case will be reviewed and I get some answers in the near future.