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"Lack of physio for a community"

About: Tom Price Hospital

(as the patient),

Recently I was playing touch rugby in the town of Tom Price where I twisted and dislocated my ankle. The following morning I presented at the hospital where I had an x-ray which confirmed nothing was broken. However, without having a full time physio in town I have found it very difficult to get an appointment with the 'fly in fly out' physio. They are only in Tom Price for 2 days and Paraburdoo 1 day every month. If I was residing in Perth I would have the opportunity to make a standing weekly appointment for intensive treatment and recovery from my injury.

At work I was on crutches for the first 2 weeks after the injury and still not fully mobile for a further 6 weeks. During this time I have had to rely on my colleagues for support in my role running my errands and doing part of my job. I am also a parent of 3 children and was finding caring for my family rather difficult, although it would be expected that I would have some of this time immobile, I feel my recovery would have been quicker if I had the opportunity to receive more treatment.

With a population of approximately 3000 people, as well as people here while travelling through or FIFO, I would suggest a full time physio to service the town would not be an unreasonable request.

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Responses

Response from Alistair Pinto, Regional Director Population Health, WACHS PIlbara, WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara 4 years ago
Alistair Pinto
Regional Director Population Health, WACHS PIlbara,
WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Pilbara

Regional Director Population Health for WACHS Pilbara and the lead of the Allied Health, Community Health and Public Health Teams.

Submitted on 21/05/2019 at 11:57 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:11 PM


picture of Alistair Pinto

Dear Libran65,

Thank you for sharing your story on Patient Opinion, and I am very sorry to hear about your injury, which would have been very painful.

We would like to ensure you have had all the input and rehabilitation you need.

If you would like us to discuss this with you please contact Dr. Alistair Pinto, Director Population Health on WACHS-Pilbara.Feedback@health.wa.gov.au or 91741649.

You describe a period of several weeks where your mobility was significantly impaired, and I do understand that would have been very limiting in work and daily activities. It is, unfortunately, not uncommon for several weeks of reduced mobility after an injury as disruptive as a dislocated ankle and we do want to ensure we have provided the best care we can, and your recovery is complete.

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback to us in relation to the health services in your town.

This assists us to ensure our local health services are constantly reviewed to ensure the best model of service delivery is implemented across the region. I will post an update here in a couple of days with some further information about our services and current recruitment processes in Tom Price.

Regards,

Alistair

Director Population Health | WACHS Pilbara

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