"No follow up after surgery."

I was referred to Broome Hospital for orthopaedic surgery late last year. I felt my case was addressed in a timely manner and the referral team did the best they could under the current circumstances and restrictions.

One the day of surgery a few months ago, I was very well cared for by the theatre and recovery staff. The Drs and nurses were attentive and caring.

Upon discharge there was some troubles locating crutches as with the new restrictions, the OT team were not visiting the Recovery Ward, only inpatients. So it was up to the recovery nurses to physically locate walking aids as well as trying to care for their patient load on their ward.

After leaving the hospital the OT department contacted me to advise I would not be physically seen for rehabilitation rather this would occur over the phone and skype.

I attended a couple of phone calls and text messages then one skype consult. I was informed by the physiotherapist that my progress was on track. Being an active person I really wanted to be sure I was doing the right rehab program and raised by concerns with the physio. The physio team provided me with access to an App to follow on my phone with exercises to complete daily. I was told I could only been seen in particular circumstances where I was concerned. I stated I was concerned. I was then told my concerns were not a valid reason to be seen in person.  

So I am left with no other alternative but to see a private physio and pay for these services. Upon my first private physio appointment, I was assessed and advised my progress was behind where I should be at this current stage of 2 weeks post surgery. I was given exercises to perform -different from the ones provided by the hospital physio team due to my current physical assessment.

I contacted the hospital physio team to advise I felt I now needed to be seen after what a private physio had discovered my progress was hindered by not being physically monitored. I was still advised I did not meet criteria to be seen in person due to Covid. I stressed I will be RAT tested, wear a mask and only have an interaction of less than 20 minutes so I will not jeopardise the team. This was still not acceptable by WACHS.

So some 4 months later I have invested a considerable amount of money in private physios, equipment and gym memberships to ensure my healing and rehab process is not hindered by the lack of public health service from the Broome Hospital.

Furthermore, I have had no surgical follow up with a orthopaedic surgeon either. There has been 2 visits from an orthopaedic surgeon to Broome Hospital. The first time I heard they were here I called the specialist centre to be informed my referral was closed in error and would be re-opened for the next visit. The next visit came around in the last few weeks and my appointment was cancelled as the surgeon's flight was bought forward to earlier in the day.

The level of service from Broome Hospital during the pre-surgical and surgical components of my treatment were professional and caring. I feel the post discharge services have been non-existent. This is very disappointing as a public patient of our government provided health care system.