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Care Opinion

Surgery delays

Posted By izarnq39

"Surgery delays"

About: Royal Perth Hospital / Medical Day Unit

(as the patient),

I saw the vascular surgeon and was told I am a Cat2 Urgent and need surgery within 3 months. A few things happened and it dragged out till many months later when I was told that I was now on the wait list.

My spouse is often away and we have children so it's not an easy thing to make sure they are home for it.

I went in for my surgery a few months after this, waited till late afternoon to be told that the previous person had complications, so they have cancelled my surgery. I was sad and disappointed, but I get it - things happen.

I was booked in the following month and was told it won't be cancelled.

The day before my surgery, I got a phone call saying that the surgeon has inpatients and so my surgery has now been cancelled indefinitely.

I'm in pain every day, I can't walk much, I can't sleep and it seems to me the doctors think I am a junkie. I need this surgery and I'm heartbroken that this has now happened twice. It's not good enough in my opinion, it takes 1.5 hours to do (I was told). I feel there's 0 effort to try and get me back in, only told that it won't be happening anytime soon.

I feel it's not good enough.

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Responses

Response from Lesley Bennett, Chief Executive, East Metropolitan Health Service 2 years ago
Lesley Bennett
Chief Executive,
East Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 16/02/2022 at 6:46 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 17/02/2022 at 9:33 AM

picture of Lesley Bennett

Dear izarnq39,

Thank you for making contact with Royal Perth Hospital regarding your requirement for Vascular Surgery. I was sorry to hear about your surgery being cancelled on two occasions and that you still don’t know when this will be done.

I appreciate vascular surgeries are time-sensitive and unplanned emergency or more complex cases often divert this specialised medical resource which can impact elective surgery waitlists. I am sorry if this has been the case for you.

I am concerned, however, that you advise of ongoing delays and currently there is no scheduled date for your surgery. I would like to investigate your situation to ensure you are receiving the care you require and invite you to contact the Consumer Engagement Unit on (08) 9224 1637 during business hours, 8 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday or via email: RPBG.feedback@health.wa.gov.au to facilitate a review of your care.

I can assure you the Royal Perth Bentley Group is committed to providing patients with safe and timely care and I sincerely apologise if this is not your current experience with our service.

I appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention and hope to have the opportunity to address your specific treatment concerns.

Kind Regards,

Dr Lesley Bennett

Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Group

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Update posted by izarnq39 (the patient)

Thankyou for the reply.

I sent 2 emails last week, followed up by a phone call on Friday (11th), I was told she would look into it on Monday. I'm yet to hear back.

I feel I need this done asap, or my pain treated.

Response from Lesley Bennett, Chief Executive, East Metropolitan Health Service 2 years ago
Lesley Bennett
Chief Executive,
East Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 21/02/2022 at 8:58 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 22/02/2022 at 10:03 AM

picture of Lesley Bennett

Dear izarnq39,

Thank you for your further advice. I really am very sorry to hear of your ongoing concerns and the worry you must feel regarding your pending surgery.

Following your contact with the Consumer Engagement Unit, I can confirm that their enquiries have begun and it can take some time to gather all the information to respond.

I understand you have been provided with your new surgery date however, I can assure you a review into your previous cancellations is occurring.

Surgery cancellations are never ideal and decisions to cancel are not made lightly, usually occurring in the context of unplanned emergency surgeries taking priority.

I sincerely apologise for the distress this is causing you and hope this information reassures you that your surgery remains a priority.

Kind Regards,

Dr Lesley Bennett

Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Group

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