Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

Help with language translation
Help with reading or listening

Waiting list

Posted By requirementtq78

"Waiting list"

About: Royal Perth Hospital

(as the patient),

I have seen my surgeon who requested that I get 3 different scans done so we can get surgery under way. Just to be told I won't be getting it for a while. I cannot function with a stuffed up spine that effects my legs and now my bladder. I'm in my 30s. I also had a fall down the stairs the other day due to my spine and legs. Could have killed or paralyzed myself. Drs don't seem to care at all.

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Ben Noteboom, Executive Director, Royal Perth Bentley Group 7 months ago
Ben Noteboom
Executive Director,
Royal Perth Bentley Group

Submitted on 13/11/2024 at 12:48 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 1:12 PM

picture of Ben Noteboom

Dear requirementtq78

Thank you for taking the time to share your story on Care Opinion.

I was very sorry to read of your declining health while waiting for spinal surgery at Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) and acknowledge your frustration and concern that the delay is affecting your quality of life.

Investigations, including tests and scans are vital prior to determining if surgery is required and which type of surgical intervention is needed. From reading certain aspects of your story, I believe you may have already been in touch with the Patient Experience (PE) team at RPH, who have escalated your concerns and new symptoms to your spinal surgeon and the Elective Surgery Waitlist (ESWL) team. I understand that there is currently significant demand for spinal surgery at RPH and as advised by the PE team, there are currently patients on the ESWL who have waited longer than you. Nonetheless, the Clinical Nurse Manager for the ESWL is actively managing your case and in liaison with your surgeon, will be in touch once a plan for your surgery has been made.

The Royal Perth Bentley Group strives to deliver the best care in a timely manner and I would like to sincerely apologise that this has not been your experience of our service.

I wish you all the best with your continuing healthcare journey.

Kind regards

Ben Noteboom

Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Group

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful

Update posted by requirementtq78 (the patient)

Hello Ben.

While I appreciate that there have been people on the waiting list longer than me and as I've stated in previous emails, I definitely understand that there are people out there that are worse than I am, and emergencies happen. I can hardly walk every single day. My 8- and 4-year-old have to help me get dressed some mornings. I have to sit on the toilet, if I can because of the pain, for over 1 minute for my urine to even start coming out and when it eventually does, it trickles out. I also can go a whole without using the bathroom and still have this problem. I have fallen down the stairs because of my back, I could have paralyzed myself or even given myself a TBI, or worse died. My surgeon already knows my back is deteriorating and all of my other problems with it. He even said to me on the phone, "Your back is really deteriorating". By the time I have surgery, I believe a new plan will have to be made.

I also have to take multiple painkillers, every day, opioid and benzos which as you know can cause an extensive amount of damage if taken long term. I also have to take Lyrica everyday which can cause Rhabdomyolysis a long-term side effect and while rare, there is still potential. I already have a calcified left kidney with a kidney stone, so taking all of these medications together, daily, cannot be doing any good to my body, brain or mental health. I also have to Dexys and Anti-depressants, so I could only imagine the damage my body is going through. I have also been having zaps in the left side of my face and down my arm and it has gotten to the point of my left upper side seizing up and having to go to the hospital, this also could possibly be a side effect from all the medications I have to take and if I don't have surgery soon, I can only imagine the damage my body will have from them. And my spine.


But yes, I totally understand that there is a huge wait list, and I do know that people have been waiting longer than myself and I understand, it is not your fault for a long waiting list. My point is that my spine is deteriorating and taking multiple strong pain killers are doing an insane amount of damage to my body. I don't want my nerves to get even more squished and my spine to deteriorate much more because I don't want to end up with not being able to walk, stand or use the toilet properly because my spine and legs are debilitatingly painful from deterioration.

Hopefully these people that have been waiting longer than myself, are doing okay and not going through the pain I am.

Thanks Ben,
Have a wonderful day.

Response from Ben Noteboom, Executive Director, Royal Perth Bentley Group 7 months ago
Ben Noteboom
Executive Director,
Royal Perth Bentley Group

Submitted on 20/11/2024 at 11:59 AM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 3:22 PM

picture of Ben Noteboom

Dear requirementtq78

Thank you for further updating me on your continuing and worsening health symptoms. I imagine these are extremely difficult for you to manage with the daily challenges of looking after a young family. I would like to assure you that your concerns are being taken seriously and that the Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) Spinal and Elective Surgery Waitlist (ESWL) team are working together to coordinate the most appropriate pathway, given your rural location, to facilitate an earlier review.

It truly sounds like your symptoms and increasing reliance on pain medication are having a detrimental effect on your quality of life that is not sustainable. It is important to conduct the appropriate tests and investigations prior to determine the best course of treatment and establish if the type of surgery you require has changed. I believe that a member of the ESWL team has been in touch with you to provide guidance on how this will be achieved, which includes an admission to RPH once travel arrangements have been finalised. The dedicated staff at RPH work diligently to ensure all patients receive timely and appropriate care, and I am sorry if your current experience fell short of these expectations.

In the meantime, if you need any clarification or have further questions, I encourage you to engage directly with your treating team via the ESWL at RPH, so that they may review and escalate any urgent healthcare issues at the time.

I truly wish you all the best.

Kind Regards

Ben Noteboom

Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Group

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k