"Heart surgery not happening"

3 years ago, I was diagnosed with Serious Aortic Stenosis. This was monitored each 6 months or so. It deteriorated from Serious, to Severe, to Critical. Late last year, it was determined by my Cardiologist that the Aortic Valve needed to be replaced. I was referred to Fiona Stanley Hospital for treatment. I heard nothing until early this year, an appointment was made to meet the Cardio Thoracic Registrar and the Surgeon. The appointment in Perth lasted only a few minutes, when it was determined I didn't have a required Angiogram, therefore they couldn't say whether I needed a bypass at the same time. To go back to my local hospital and get all the required tests done (why didn't the Cardiologist not arrange the required tests?).

I returned to my home, awaited the multiple trips to my local hospital for the five or six scans that were needed. I was being prepped for the Angiogram, feet in the scanner, tourniquet on my arm - ready to be injected with dye. When a senior clinician came running into the scanner room, saying that they wouldn't allow the scan to take place, as I understand it, because this scanner is not compatible for Fiona Stanley Hosp, I will have to go back up there.

This was arranged, but as my 'carer/partner' couldn't accompany me (due to Covid), it would be best for me to fly up, take a taxi from airport to FSH Murdoch. This happened a few months ago, which I ended up paying for because PATS would cover flight etc.

So despite many unsuccessful phone calls I was not given a date for surgery, until a few weeks ago, a Telehealth appointment was arranged and cancelled, re-arranged and cancelled, to be replaced by a series of phone calls, which constituted a Pre-Admission Clinic, one of the staff I spoke to said a date for the operation would be in the following month, I was to arrange accommodation for 3 weeks, and no they couldn't help with that. I was to present at 6:00am on the day or maybe another time if my surgery was 'second shift', they would call a couple days prior to the appointment to confirm.

So, I arranged accom, drove to Perth with my partner a couple of days before the appointment having not yet received 'the call'. Because none of our phone calls were answered or returned, we went along to the Hospital to find out what time I was to present. I recall the receptionist said oh they can't find me in their system. Despite giving them my Patient Number. They gave us some other numbers to call if we hadn't heard anything by that evening. we called many times finally speaking to someone who suggested we go home. We then got a call from the doctor, who suggested there had been a communication breakdown, and that they would endeavor to get me in the following week but there was no guarantee this would happen.

We decided that we didn't want to run the risk of staying in our hired accommodation for another week, on the off chance we may be seen.

Just as well, on our return journey home, we got a call from a staff member stating that I may get to be seen in the following month.

Meanwhile, my aortic stenosis continued to get worse, and, apparently one of my carotid arteries is 100 % blocked, but can't be fixed until my heart valve has been replaced and bypasses done.

Incidentally, all though this whole saga we have offered to pay towards the operation, our offer has always been rejected. We have Health Insurance with NIB, but can't claim because this is a 'pre-existing condition'. I believe not until next year anyway.