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"Poor specialist services"

About: Sale Hospital

(as the patient),

Referred to Sale Central Health Womens Clinic after moving from Heidelberg, North-Melbourne Region.

Instead of travelling 5hrs to have the procedure and treatments in Melbourne it was seen as better to have it done closer to home where I had family support. I have recently moved in with parents.

I was referred for surgery with Sale Hospital.

I believe the surgeon quit Sale Hospital 1 week prior to surgery. I tried to contact the Hospital to ask what now?? I had to call them.

I attempted to seek a resolution, asking can someone else perform the surgery??? I recall their response was that nobody is capable to perform that type of surgery. I need to return to my GP and get a referral elsewhere.

I asked if a Gynecologist could write a referral to a Melbourne Specialist at other services? This supports the reasoning of Sale unable to perform the procedure due to lack of resources - or  Colac Hospital Federal Funding?

They responded telling me a Specialist Referral is only for 3 months so it would be pointless and for me to go to the GP to start again.

I could understand if the surgeon was sick and needed to reschedule because it would only push back surgeries a week or two. This is pushing back surgeries for up to 6mths if not 12 months. I've been waiting for this surgery since for over a year and a half and I believe it's an average of 24mths for a High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion to turn into Carcinoma.

I feel completely devastated my plan to preserve my fertility and plan to have a child has seemingly become completely robbed and destroyed by this decision.

I haven't been able to have sex for 2 years now and have recently started speaking to an ex - I haven't been in the state of Victoria for 5 years. I cannot date or have sex because of this issue. I feel I am being forced into sterilization and to be single and alone forever - the single old cat person.

I feel soo let down by this hospital and forced to develop cancer. I don't want my head shaved and I don't want toxic chemotherapy to cause secondary cancers. I feel soo let down, in my opinion, I wouldn't put my trust in Sale Hospital again.

They cancelled the surgery with no care, no empathy, no heartbeat and left me back at the start having to get a GP referral to another Hospital. I have cancerous lesions and was made to waste a further 4 months of my life. It will be carcinoma by the time it's removed.

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Appointment Example:

The Sale Hospital arranged an appointment on my birthday; made me cry.

The room participants included: HMO, consultant suite manager, and two doctors.

I don't have children and they asked if I'm wanting to preserve my fertility to have a child?? I do.

I don't want to deal with the hormones of early menopause or hysterectomy.

One doctor told me I'm too old to have a child. Then told me I needed a partner and to be married to have a child.

I replied I can have IUI and IVF because I feel it's common for women to be unable to meet the right guy in todays society.

Mel the consultant manager stuck up for me.

We opened up another hospital’s report/recommendation letter stressing the need to remove the lesion and her concerns of my continuous lack of adequate care.

We opened the past 2 Ultrasounds 6mths apart what show the severe discrepancy in my ovaries in 7mths period (Vol and size). The Doctor stopped seemingly playing ignorant and I recall their face dropped when they noticed the ultrasound reports. I felt they were serious and sincere promising me this surgery will be getting done and I didn't need to fight for this surgery anymore and they will be fixing the problem soon so I can move forwards and on.

Just completely shattered and feel entrapped and set up. I feel they promised me the world, gave me false hope and then when the crunch came abandoned ship so it's not their problem. Torts Law suggest otherwise.

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Responses

Response from Mark Dykgraaf, Chief Executive Officer, Executive Suite, Central Gippsland Health last month
Mark Dykgraaf
Chief Executive Officer, Executive Suite,
Central Gippsland Health
Submitted on 28/03/2024 at 12:14 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:14 PM


picture of Mark Dykgraaf

Dear Forced to be Sterile,

Thank you for outlining your concerns regarding access to care at CGH. We are very sorry that these circumstances are causing you significant distress, and not meeting your needs as you seek to have your health issues effectively addressed.

We are always pleased to receive feedback so that we can continue to work to improve our services. More importantly, we seek to ensure that the patients under our care receive the support they need, particularly where there are complex health issues.

I note that our team is already providing support to you in order to access the care you need - either at CGH or, if we are unable to provide it, at a hospital with the necessary services to meet your needs. They will continue to stay in touch in this regard, and we thank you for the compliment you have offered in relation to Mel (Practice Manager – Consulting Suites).

If you would like to discuss this matter further, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 5143 8319 or email mark.dykgraaf@cghs.com.au

Mark Dykgraaf

Chief Executive Officer

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