"Submission in review"

I have a polio effected left leg, have had this for many years.

I coped with it over this time, however it has started to cause me great pain and discomfort, so much so it has become increasingly hard to walk.

I'm an NDIS recipient and after seeking advice from OPS orthotics who visit the Pilbara it was decided that surgical intervention may be the best course of action.

I saw my local GP in Karratha who advised me that I would need to seek an orthopaedic surgeon.

I was given two for referral, one in the system and one who I understand is arguably one of the best in his field.

The referral was sent to the latter as I had experienced a horrendous situation during a hip replacement undertaken by another hospital staff.

I flew to Perth via PATS to meet the surgeon for an initial consult.

The surgeon advised that there is possibly something they could do for the foot / ankle. I have been told this surgeon would tell me yes or no immediately upon examination.

This is what I wanted as I did not wish to waste anyone's time if nothing could be done.

When seeing the surgeon there was an unfortunate delay at his office and I did not get to see him until much after the allotted appointment time.

He advised that yes something may be done and I would need an MRI and a weight bearing CT of my feet. This way he could look at what and how to proceed.

As it was late in the afternoon I could only get the MRI completed at SKG at the same clinic, approximately 6pm

The weight bearing CT had to be performed by Envision medical imaging.

Envision only do these type of scans in the afternoon.

I had to fly back to the Pilbara next morning. I had no way of contacting PATS and asking for permission to stay for the scan the next day.

I've now booked the CT with Envision and the follow up with the surgeon for the day after.

I sent my PATS form in and and called on the following day to see how it was progressing, I was told that I did not attach the referral to Envision.

I resent the referral and was called later by the local coordinator and advised that I could get this done here.

I tried in vain to explain that it was a particular CT that had to be undertaken.

They were adamant that radiology could do it in the Pilbara.

They can't, as this sort of CT can only be undertaken by Envision, standing and weight bearing. Surgeons follow up letter stipulates this.

I was also told that PATS have an agreement with a different hospital and that an orthopaedic specialist travelled to the Pilbara and I should have seen them.

I asked why was my last visit then allowed and now it's all changed.

I was told that this particular coordinator did not approve my last flights and I should not have gone??

I then asked about my reimbursement claim for accommodation from the last visit, nothing has been forthcoming as of the time of writing this.

I was told by the local coordinator that I needed to get a letter from the surgeon to advise on what procedure he would undertake and also information around the scan required.

I was told by the local PATS coordinator that the surgeons office staff would provide this.

I called their office and was told no, we can't just draft something it had to come form the surgeon as they were administrative only.

Fortunately the good doctor sent a letter the next day which I have forwarded onto the local PATS coordinator immediately.

I had booked my follow-up CT with Envision and the surgeon the next day, even though he would not have the report back he would have the imaging and should be able to come to some conclusion around what needed to be done.

So at the time of writing this, I have been told via email by the local coordinator that my submission is in review?

I feel I have not done anything unreasonable and yet I'm made to feel like I am at fault.

I have tried to be meticulous in whatever I have provided to PATS.

I can't work at the moment, and I dont have centrelink aid.

All out of pocket expenses are carried by my family and to not even have an answer back on my last accommodation expenses is ludicrous.

I've had to use PATS on several occasions over the last few years and never had an issue, until now.

It feels like I've been made out to be fabricating what needs to be undertaken.

Yet I have been following the advice of medical professionals.

At the moment I feel very disillusioned and frankly very depressed over the whole thing.

Perhaps I should just give up trying to sort a solution to my foot and the pain.

Perhaps I should just let go of getting back into the work force and go on a disability pension.

I still have a family to support so I don't wish to do this.

But when you run up against this type of, in my opinion, rot- it's hard to keep going.

Probably won't hear anything back, but at least my story is out there.