"Waiting for a cast in hospital"

I had an X-ray the day before in Perth on my hand that I had hurt…there was a broken bone and was advised to get a cast on it so I went to Northam which is the closest hospital to do this. I haven’t fortunately had to do anything like this before and when I arrived it seemed there was only one person in front of me so I presumed I’d be seen not long after.

Hours started to tick over...more people were arriving…a couple of ambulances arrived...understandably had to be attended to however I started to get disturbed when people who had arrived after me were being seen to and really didn’t seem to be in more need than me..example..3 Serco guards with a patient who seemed not in urgent need of attention went through and they’d been waiting for nearly as long as me so no emergency there?

4 hours went by and finally I had a doctor come and inform me he couldn’t get my X-ray from Perth...I said I couldn’t wait any longer and was set to leave…the doctor said wait I’ll try again...then they proceeded to show me the X-ray and said I probably didn’t need a cast! The doctor then consulted with a bone doc and said it was up to me if I wanted a cast…I was so anxious with the waste of time I said I’d manage on my own...the doctor offered pain killers...I didn’t need what he was offering…I was totally disillusioned with the whole process and realised you can’t depend on the system to support you no matter what.

I have always looked after myself to the best of my ability and never expected it was a doctors or anyone else’s job too so the one time I needed some attention was such a stressful disappointing time...I’ve paid taxes all my life…my income is not much so I do my best to live frugally and keep well so I don’t need to rely on any services but the one time I need help...that happens! Thanks for listening to my rant!