"Cancellation of procedure"

I would like to bring to your attention the recent happening and experience my parent endured at Royal Perth Hospital.

They are a person in their 90s who has been diagnosed with a  blockage in their leg. Their doctor had decided that they would require a stent in order for the blockage to be removed. Their doctor believes the blockage is the cause of an ongoing ulcer on my parent's left heel not healing and causing their foot to swell and gives them tremendous pain and discomfort.

My parent was first admitted to RPH recently at mid morning to prepare for their procedure. They were asked to fast for three and a half hours before the procedure.

The necessary check-in formalities and procedures took place and my parent was then asked to sit and wait.  They continued to  fast until mid afternoon when we received a call from RPH informing us  that the procedure had been cancelled due to other emergencies occurring on that day. This presented a high level of stress, anger and frustration for my parent as it is not easy for them, at their age, to comprehend why the cancellation occurred.

A week later the new date was scheduled for the procedure and once again we were asked to be there for mid morning and to ensure that fasting was commenced after breakfast.

We once again began to prepare my parent mentally for the event and assured them that all will be fine.

The hours passed, my parent sat and waited and fasting all day only to be told for the second time that emergencies had occurred and their procedure was cancelled.....again!

Australia has a well developed health care system that is recognised globally but for my family the recent events have demonstrated that the system is seemingly far from satisfactory.