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"Attendance for Broken Elbow II"

About: Bunbury Hospital / Outpatients Clinic

(as the patient),

Six days following my presentation at the Bunbury Health Campus Emergency Department, I was given an appointment with the Orthopaedic Clinic at the campus.

I again attended with my child, as I was unable to drive a motor vehicle.

We waited for longer than 40 minutes before being seen by an Orthopaedic Surgeon.

As I understand it, this Doctor had not yet viewed any of my X-rays, although they informed us that my case had been discussed.

I was told that it was imperative that I undergo surgery within the next 2 weeks to repair my elbow.

I explained that I was rather more interested in allowing the swelling to subside and some soft tissue to repair before I undertook that course of action.

I was advised to have a CT scan.

I politely declined this offer.

The Doctor asked me if I had seen the X-rays.

I replied that I had not.

I was informed that the computing system was down, and it was not possible for me to see the images on the Doctor's computer.

Even so, the computer was directly in our view, and displayed my record from my Emergency Department presentation.

This Doctor then left the room for a few minutes in order to retrieve some images of my X-rays on a mobile phone.

- From whence I know not, as apparently the computing system was non-operational.

During this time, my child took screenshots with a mobile phone of my details from the computer screen.

The Doctor returned, and showed me what I felt were some poorly defined X-ray images on their mobile phone, and once more stressed the need for surgery.

I declined the offer once more, as I still wished to allow the swelling and initial damage to subside before making a decision regarding surgery.

The Doctor informed me that this was not the way things were normally done, but my decision was respected.

I requested a Medical Certificate for Centrelink Purposes, as I had recently lost my employment of 15 years, and had only 1 month previously registered for Unemployment benefits.

Clearly, I was unable to search for employment with the damage to my elbow and wrist.

The Doctor agreed, and produced for me a Medical Certificate.

It was only later and after closer inspection, that I discovered that the Doctor had declared that I was able to work for at least 8 hours per week doing deskwork, computer, or admin.

With a Left Radial Head Fracture.

6 days after the fact.

-This, after not even enquiring as to what my normal employment involved.

I was previously employed as a Groundsperson for 15 years.

Not particularly conducive to admin or desk-work.

I was subsequently booked in for another appointment with the Orthopaedic Clinic a few days later – in order to reconsider my option to elect for surgery on my elbow.

When I discovered that the Surgeon had claimed that I was able to work – a mere 6 days after a traumatic elbow injury, I placed a number of phone calls to the Orthopaedic Clinic, hoping to have the Certificate adjusted in order to reflect the fact that I felt it was practically impossible for me to engage in any sort of employment search in my condition.

I was not even able to drive.

Each phone call enquiry (I believe all were recorded and noted by the clinic) was met with what I felt was delay and excuse by the staff, and ultimately I did not receive an amended Medical Certificate.

I returned to the Clinic alone a week or so later, and was seen by a different Orthopaedic Surgeon who was even more adamant than the first Surgeon that I needed to have surgery on my elbow in short order.

My left limb movement and strength was severely limited at this point, and I had not been given ANY form of anti-inflammatory medication at any time.

My left arm was considerably inflamed and painful.

I once more declined the offer for the time being.

I was informed by this Doctor that my left arm would in fact be in worse condition in 4 more weeks if I did not have surgery to correct the situation.

(I am now a couple of months past my injury, and have considerably more use of my left limb than at the time of this, in my opinion, ridiculous consultation. - perhaps in the order of 500% better movement etc.)

I continued to call the Orthopaedic Clinic in order to have my initial Medical Certificate altered to reflect the severity of my injury, and was consistently met with why I believe were excuses and stupid reasoning – i.e. “only the original Surgeon can alter the Certificate, and they are in Surgery right now, so they can not change it”

And so on...

Pathetic, in my opinion.

My body is healing itself.

It could have used some real help.

I will not be dealing with this sytem again.

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Responses

Response from Steven Elvy, Outpatient Manager, Bunbury Hospital, WACHS - South West 2 years ago
We have made a change
Steven Elvy
Outpatient Manager, Bunbury Hospital,
WACHS - South West
Submitted on 19/10/2022 at 12:28 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:59 PM


picture of Steven Elvy

Dear phoenixqk49,

Thank you for again sharing your experience on Care Opinion.

I am sorry to hear that your wait in the Orthopaedic outpatient’s clinic was longer than 40 minutes. We did have an issue of longer than usual delays for this clinic over the past couple of months, we found our surgical registrars who were scheduled to consult in the orthopaedic clinic were being called away to assist with surgeries due to staff furlough. We have changed the way we roster this clinic to ensure that our patients receive both timely surgeries and timely follow up.

Regarding the systems being down, although you could see your medical record. We have several different computer systems that contain different parts of your medical record. It is possible that the system which contains the details of your presentations (which you’ve referenced seeing) was working whilst the system that contains the imaging was down. I am sorry if this wasn’t more clearly explained to you at the time.

We pride ourselves in providing patient-centred care, which means although our medical professionals will provide medical advice and guidance about alternatives such as whether to have surgery or not, this will include a discussion of risks and benefits. It is part of their responsibilities to ensure that you understand your medical condition. I am glad to hear that your decision to not have surgery has gone well for you and that your elbow has recovered significantly.

In relation to the medical certificate, it is a legal requirement that the surgeon who completed it must be the one to alter it. I am also sorry that you have had difficulty getting in contact with the initial surgeon to discuss your medical certificate. However, I am pleased that you have since reached out to us giving us a chance to work through this directly with you.

Kind Regards,

Steven Elvy

Outpatients Manager

Bunbury Hospital

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