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"Elective surgery cubital tunnel release"

About: Geraldton Hospital / Day Surgery Geraldton Hospital / Outpatient Services

(as the patient),

I was told many months ago due to me being on blood thinners at the time I had to wait till I finished them due to a blood clot on my lung. I also have several health issues and made many complaints regarding Geraldton regional Hospital.

When they called me in and said I could go for surgery recently I was so happy as I have struggled with right arm the pain in my elbow that shoots threw to my hand in able to use my right arm and hand propley for over 12months has been a nightmare dropping things from weakness in hand and numbness in several fingers which it all has gotten worse they then called me and said I called go in a few days earlier even better I thought.

Well didn't work out that way I got all sorted ready to go in threw to surgery until the nurse went stop don't the surgeon refused to do the surgery as I am not their patient. The surgeon that was supposed to do me was away. I was in shock and so upset had to sit at the hospital till my partner could pick me up as they had kids to deal with.

3 hours later then they said I was booked in for 10 days time. Well rang day before and once again apparently been cancelled again due to surgeon unwell, I believe I even know they were at work the day before. No other surgeon can do it apparently, seems everytime gets cancelled and more stress on me and I have to make more complaints due to what I believe is the poor communication of Geraldton regional Hospital

I have a cyst on my right temple that's grown 3 times this year, epilepsy autism sensory processing disorder and many other health issues though no matter what happens, I feel the hospital always seems to stuff things up.

I do not believe the surgeon is unwell and there is no other surgeon that can do it. I am right handed and struggle bad. If I could transfer to have it done in Perth straight away I would as Geraldton regional Hospital is the worst I have had to deal with.

Thank good for my partner who is my full time carer or I believe this hospital wouldn't even listen and I think I would probley be dead. In my opinion, it's a joke how it's run with only one. And for the surgical team why is there only one surgeon that can do elective surgery? 

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Responses

Response from Jody Rolston, Operations Manager Midwest Murchison, WA Country Health Service 17 months ago
We have made a change
Jody Rolston
Operations Manager Midwest Murchison,
WA Country Health Service
Submitted on 29/11/2022 at 7:22 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 30/11/2022 at 1:06 PM


picture of Jody Rolston

Dear millimetersh74,

Thank you for reaching out to us and sharing your story with us.

I was very concerned to read of the health challenges you have faced and would like to apologise that your surgery has had to be rescheduled on two occasions and the continued pain and distress this has caused.

Your feedback highlighted a gap in our surgical scheduling process when there is a locum surgeon, who may not have the same scope of practice as our permanent orthopaedic surgeons. I am pleased to say staff education has occurred to ensure we have improved our system.

I can confirm that there has been some recent unplanned leave within the surgical team. We were unable to arrange locum cover at short notice and this did unfortunately result in some procedures being rescheduled and I apologise that you were affected by this situation.

I would like to speak with you, so I can ensure we have your rescheduled surgery date confirmed. You mention some other health concerns and I would also like to discuss these to confirm you are getting the necessary support and investigation for these. My name is Jody Rolston, Regional Manager Patient Safety & Quality. You can call me on 9956 2217, or you can email me at Jody.Rolston@health.wa.gov.au.

If you ever have concerns as an inpatient, or when in the Emergency Department, I would like to share with you a process we have at the hospital called Aishwarya’s CARE Call. You may notice in our ED, posters about Aishwarya’s CARE Call, which is a 1800 number for patients, carers and families to raise their concerns if they or someone they care for is getting sicker. In the Midwest, no matter what hospital you go to this number is 1800 316 729 or you can find out more here at: WA Country Health Service - Aishwarya’s CARE Call.

I hope I hear from you soon.

Regards

Jody Rolston

Regional Manager Patient Safety and Quality

WA Country Health Service Midwest

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