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Extensive wait time for neurologist appointment

Posted By hotelkm97

"Extensive wait time for neurologist appointment"

About: Fiona Stanley Hospital / Neurology Department, Neurophysiology Outpatients & Ward 6B

(as a service user),

In early 2019, I was referred to Fiona Stanley Hospital outpatient department for a consultation with a neurologist following nerve damage suffered during an operation in late 2018. 

I was placed on the waiting list and did not hear anything further. I checked after a year or so and there was no change. I checked again in late 2021 and was advised that my GP would need to send a new referral to request the priority of my referral be increased, which they did. I advised at the time this was requested that I had been waiting 2 years and 6 months for an appointment and was assured that this was completely normal. 

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Responses

Response from Neil Doverty, Executive Director Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group, South Metropolitan Health Service 2 years ago
Neil Doverty
Executive Director Fiona Stanley and Fremantle Hospitals Group,
South Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 11/01/2022 at 4:32 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 5:30 PM

picture of Neil Doverty

Dear hotelkm97,

I am sorry to hear of your long wait to see a Neurologist. Unfortunately in the public system we experience very high demand and are required to prioritise referrals based on clinical urgency. This means that people with life threatening conditions are always seen first.

Although you were advised correctly that a GP can send additional notes to a current referral (rather than being a new referral), this does not necessarily change the priority. One of our Consultant Neurologists reviews all referrals and escalation notes, and whilst Care Opinion is anonymous, I feel that based on your wait time you have been prioritised as a Category 3 (routine referral). Unfortunately the current wait time for Category 3 Neurology averages 20 months, and this can be extended depending on incoming Category 1 and 2 referrals.

I agree that this wait time is unsatisfactory, and we are always auditing our waitlists and working on strategies to improve our outpatient systems. I am so sorry I don’t have better news for you.

As you have experienced a wait time longer than average, you can call the Neurology clinic direct on (08) 6152 0618 to confirm your referral category and ask for a very rough estimate of when you may be seen. Should a patient’s clinical situation change whilst they are waiting, they are always encouraged to attend their GP.

Kind regards,

Neil Doverty

Group Executive Director

Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group

South Metropolitan Health Service

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