"Miscommunication/ missed diagnosis/ lack of duty of care"

My parent was admitted to the ER by ambulance earlier last year with shortness of breath, lack of appetite, loss of weight over a short time (68 to 61 kg), significant bone pain (they called it arthritis), and feet like balloons.

They were not mobile and even talking would have them gasping for breath and complaining of pain in their bones. A history of stomach cancer and bladder cancer - all managed by Drs from the Greenslopes Hospital = easy access to records. Many hours later they were admitted and given Paracetamol, while I asked to be advised- I recall no one called me.

They were still in pain the next morning and I believe their condition was not much better - bloods had been taken and their HGB (hemoglobin) was down to 74. I understand they were taken off blood thinners and their bowel movements were checked for blood. Paracetamol and not much else was given as best I recall other than their regular meds - I was still unable to speak to a Dr.

A scan / MRI and more blood tests were done. Scheduled for an endoscopy North and South. I understand they were given 1 or 2 cortisone steroid injections for the back pain.

Prep for endoscopy early morning, to go in a couple of hours later. By the early afternoon, I believe they were not in a good way and told it was busy. Intern turned up and seemed to totally confuse my parent with talking about an IV? My parent rang me and I only got to speak to a nurse and I was concerned about dehydration; endoscopy now scheduled for maybe the later afternoon. I believe they got an IV saline and had the endoscopy etc in the evening.

Got a garbled message that a couple of polyps were found and some thinning of scar tissue around the previous stomach operations. But, as I understand it, could find no reason for blood loss. Blood transfused and HGB went up to 84 - still no pain killer or any communications.

My parent was given some lozenges and told they had a thrush infection in the throat/upper respiratory tract.

An Intern called; when I asked to speak to the Dr, was advised that the doctor was busy and that my parent had a mild enema for which, I understand, no cause could be determined, and that they had an upper respiratory thrush infection, and X-rays showed their lower back was shot? I advised the hospital that my parent lived by themself and I checked in on them as and when required. I was given a discharge document that I felt said almost nothing. And they were sent home with Panadol and a topical rub for their bone pain.

Diagnosis: anaemia and degenerative lumbo sacral spine disease.

I rang my parent early the next morning: they had not gotten out of bed and not been able to even get themself a cup of coffee. I went and got them and brought them to my home. Tried calling GPH (Greenslopes Private Hospital) but I could get no one that could assist.

After a few days at my home, called for an ambulance and straight to TPCH (The Prince Charles Hospital).

After pain meds and a blood test and a CT scan; I believe they kept asking what the Drs at Greenslopes had told me. I handed over the discharge sheet. It seemed they just looked and walked away shaking their heads. My parent was transferred to Saint Vincent's Northside.

Within 48 hrs I felt they were under decent care and had their pain managed and a CT scan and a bone scan and bloods. And scheduled for another transfusion. Palliative care Drs and team were engaged and fully communicated their finding and outcomes to us both.

In short, my parent was stage 4 metastasized bone cancer, also in their left lung, with an enlarged spleen and enlarged prostrate.

Had even an intern looked at the key symptoms upon presentation at the GPH I believe there should have been red flags. Two lots of previous cancers and all the typical symptoms of, you guessed it: more cancer. If advised some 14 days earlier ie. 48 hrs after presenting to Greenslopes; then I believe they would not have spent that time in pain and extreme discomfort. Nor would my partner or myself been put through so much stress and guilt. And for that missed diagnosis, my parent was subject to me trying to care for them with none of the correct medications or an informed plan.

In addition, I believe they should have never been subjected to the aforementioned surgical procedure of an endoscopy; and it seemed poorly managed at that.

My parent and I both understand that at this stage of the cancer; it can not be treated, but they had to suffer severe pain and stress, and frustration for those said 14 days. It has also meant 14 days less time to make plans and get palliative care and a place for them to spend their final days. Again 14 days, that could have been of quality time together, we have lost and never gain back.

Thus, I believe, any number of medical staff/contractors etc from the Greenslopes hospital have let my parent and myself down big time. Not just a lack of a duty of care or the Ramsay way but a lack of respect and or compassion shown to both of us.

I believe every Dr we spoke to at TPCH and Saint Vincent's just kept asking if blood tests or a CT scan had been taken as the symptoms were clearly suggesting a particular outcome.

I feel negligent professional behaviour on behalf of the staff and the hospital comes to mind.

This was all provided by the feedback link on the non-working web pages, and I had to call a week later to provide it all again. Some 10 days later, I understand GPH basically said they were sorry but that GPH / Ramsay Health Care was not responsible for VMO's (visiting medical officers) and contractors providing X-rays and scans.

My parent passed on the 14th of March 2021.