"Inefficiencies within the system"

I dislocated my finger recently and saw a hospital the next day. This hospital directed me to Sydney Hand Hospital.

I attended Sydney Hand Hospital the following day in the morning. I was attended to approximately 1 hour after my scheduled appointment. When the hand surgeon asked me if I had private insurance and I said yes. I was advised that as they ‘might be busy’ at Sydney Hand Hospital, that I see one of a few doctors, one on the North Shore, another somewhere else and a third in Kogarah. I was also advised to ring and make an appointment before I left Sydney Hand Hospital. I did this and was advised to be at Kogarah Private Hospital before a set time that day for the Dr to see me.

I rushed and made it by 15 minutes before the appointment. An hour and a half after my appointment time, I asked when the Dr would see me.

After a bit of too-ing and fro-ing, I was advised that Dr would see me in around three and a half hours.

I said thank you, but no thank you, and left.

I got a call from the Dr's secretary advising that Dr would really like to see me and I advised them that my time too is important, not to Dr but to me.

I then received a call from Sydney Hand Hospital and agreed to be there at a set time the following morning.

Imagine my surprise when it was the same doctor from the private clinic doing the operation!

I smell a rat. I do not believe that Sydney Hand Hospital should be used, as I think it is, as a feeder for the various Dr's private practices.

Also, has anyone checked how many operations are performed by these doctors in the public space as compared to in their private practices in the same time frame?

I was sent to another hospital for follow-up physio and was seen on time (the physio was waiting for me).

Recently, I had to attend Sydney Hand Hospital for more follow-up physio. My appointment was for a set time. I was on time and was advised that I would have to wait for about an hour to be seen. In my opinion, either your processes are wrong or you do not care about other people's time.

Why, if the two other hospitals can keep to a schedule, can't Sydney Hand Hospital?

This has happened to me on every one of the three times I have attended there. All three are public hospitals but it seems the other two respect people's time.

I would appreciate an answer.