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Care Opinion

Wasted trip for surgery

Posted By KimberleyCash

"Wasted trip for surgery"

About: Fitzroy Crossing Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

I was told by an emergency practitioner that I could have a possible melanoma and that I would be expected to attend Broome hospital that week for surgery. I have proof of the incident and made record of the consultation with the Fitzroy Crossing Hospital.

About a week later, I saw this GP to diagnose the spot found on the weekend prior. They said they would make arrangements to have me attend Broome day surgery in Broome to have the spot removed for analysis. I questioned the possibility that this could be an incorrect process with admin/nurses and they assured me everything would be ok and to attend on the day.

The day before surgery came around and I still hadn’t got 100% confirmation via email or even a call from Broome hospital for the surgery on the following morning. So I started ringing Fitzroy and Broome to see where this paperwork of some kind has got to, to confirm I should travel. Still getting the all clear to travel to Broome I make the trip.

I get to Broome and go through Covid testing and make it before the scheduled surgery at Broome hospital. To be told by staff you have no surgery booked or a consultation made to talk about having surgery. Seeing the surgeon needs to see the spot I’m having an operation on. I was horrified to receive this information as I work in Fitzroy and had to move everything around to make the trip. Also having other events coming up which could make my life a little hard as well. So I’m actually quite angry that this all went on and didn’t receive a formal apology or compensation. I’d like actions taken to recoup some of what I lost.

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Responses

Response from Melanie Robinson, A/Operations Manager, Derby Fitzroy Valley Health Service, WA Country Health Service about a year and a half ago
Melanie Robinson
A/Operations Manager, Derby Fitzroy Valley Health Service,
WA Country Health Service

Submitted on 14/10/2022 at 7:32 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 17/10/2022 at 10:10 AM

Dear KimberleyCash,

Thank you for taking the time to post your feedback, my name is Mel Robinson and I am the Acting Operations Manager for the Derby Fitzroy Valley Health Service.

I apologise for the frustration you may have felt during this process and the lack of communication between the various parties whilst trying to arrange your travel and upcoming appointments for your surgery. Our services strive to provide the best care possible for our patients throughout their journey and I am sorry this has not been your experience.

With your consent, I would like to look into the communication relating to these events, which will allow me to investigate the areas where we can make improvements to our services. This will also let me provide direct feedback to the relevant Doctors and Administration teams involved to avoid similar occurrences in the future.

I would to get in touch to discuss your experience in more detail and can be contacted on 0419 043 610 if you would like to arrange a time with me.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Mel Robinson

A/Operations Manager – Derby and Fitzroy Valley Health Service

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by KimberleyCash (the patient)

Hi Mel. I’m free today and tomorrow I’m off to derby for more check ups on my current issues. Hopefully I can get back to full health and continue to work and train as normal.

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