"Attendance for Broken Elbow II"

Six days following my presentation at the Bunbury Health Campus Emergency Department, I was given an appointment with the Orthopaedic Clinic at the campus.

I again attended with my child, as I was unable to drive a motor vehicle.

We waited for longer than 40 minutes before being seen by an Orthopaedic Surgeon.

As I understand it, this Doctor had not yet viewed any of my X-rays, although they informed us that my case had been discussed.

I was told that it was imperative that I undergo surgery within the next 2 weeks to repair my elbow.

I explained that I was rather more interested in allowing the swelling to subside and some soft tissue to repair before I undertook that course of action.

I was advised to have a CT scan.

I politely declined this offer.

The Doctor asked me if I had seen the X-rays.

I replied that I had not.

I was informed that the computing system was down, and it was not possible for me to see the images on the Doctor's computer.

Even so, the computer was directly in our view, and displayed my record from my Emergency Department presentation.

This Doctor then left the room for a few minutes in order to retrieve some images of my X-rays on a mobile phone.

- From whence I know not, as apparently the computing system was non-operational.

During this time, my child took screenshots with a mobile phone of my details from the computer screen.

The Doctor returned, and showed me what I felt were some poorly defined X-ray images on their mobile phone, and once more stressed the need for surgery.

I declined the offer once more, as I still wished to allow the swelling and initial damage to subside before making a decision regarding surgery.

The Doctor informed me that this was not the way things were normally done, but my decision was respected.

I requested a Medical Certificate for Centrelink Purposes, as I had recently lost my employment of 15 years, and had only 1 month previously registered for Unemployment benefits.

Clearly, I was unable to search for employment with the damage to my elbow and wrist.

The Doctor agreed, and produced for me a Medical Certificate.

It was only later and after closer inspection, that I discovered that the Doctor had declared that I was able to work for at least 8 hours per week doing deskwork, computer, or admin.

With a Left Radial Head Fracture.

6 days after the fact.

-This, after not even enquiring as to what my normal employment involved.

I was previously employed as a Groundsperson for 15 years.

Not particularly conducive to admin or desk-work.

I was subsequently booked in for another appointment with the Orthopaedic Clinic a few days later – in order to reconsider my option to elect for surgery on my elbow.

When I discovered that the Surgeon had claimed that I was able to work – a mere 6 days after a traumatic elbow injury, I placed a number of phone calls to the Orthopaedic Clinic, hoping to have the Certificate adjusted in order to reflect the fact that I felt it was practically impossible for me to engage in any sort of employment search in my condition.

I was not even able to drive.

Each phone call enquiry (I believe all were recorded and noted by the clinic) was met with what I felt was delay and excuse by the staff, and ultimately I did not receive an amended Medical Certificate.

I returned to the Clinic alone a week or so later, and was seen by a different Orthopaedic Surgeon who was even more adamant than the first Surgeon that I needed to have surgery on my elbow in short order.

My left limb movement and strength was severely limited at this point, and I had not been given ANY form of anti-inflammatory medication at any time.

My left arm was considerably inflamed and painful.

I once more declined the offer for the time being.

I was informed by this Doctor that my left arm would in fact be in worse condition in 4 more weeks if I did not have surgery to correct the situation.

(I am now a couple of months past my injury, and have considerably more use of my left limb than at the time of this, in my opinion, ridiculous consultation. - perhaps in the order of 500% better movement etc.)

I continued to call the Orthopaedic Clinic in order to have my initial Medical Certificate altered to reflect the severity of my injury, and was consistently met with why I believe were excuses and stupid reasoning – i.e. “only the original Surgeon can alter the Certificate, and they are in Surgery right now, so they can not change it”

And so on...

Pathetic, in my opinion.

My body is healing itself.

It could have used some real help.

I will not be dealing with this sytem again.