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"Breast cancer reconstruction"

About: Royal Darwin Hospital

(as the patient),

I am so sick of no one I have interacted with listening or, in my opinion, just plain doing their jobs. 

I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have a double mastectomy with breast reconstruction. 

After surgery I was in hospital 6 wks and  was then sent home with the wound still open. I begged them to keep me until it was healed but was sent home. No post op care, no medication, no after care or home care organised - seemingly nothing, just sent home.

7 wks post op review- 7 wks.... Now 13 wks in. By that stage it had opened further and was now fully compromised. Implant will now have to be removed. Saw surgeon, yeah it has to come out but sent home again. Surgeon went on holidays? Are you kidding me....!

Waited another three weeks over 16 wks at this stage with wound compromised. Then have had another 4 surgeries since and an expander put in.

After having the outside of expander fill with fluid it had to be aspirated. The needle caused it to bleed in two places causing major blood clots so yet again sent home with another 3 wks, before looking at it again for expansion.

I had surgery earlier this year, it's been on going for nearly 18 wks.......and I am still going through further treatment and procedures now. The worst part is this was the breast that was fine. 

I begged the surgeon not to send me home and they did anyway. I feel they have no idea what they put you through when they don't listen to patients and think they know best.

I still have more procedures and surgery to come, I believe this should never have happened. I feel they should have listened and now I'm the one paying the price and scarred for life.

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Responses

Response from Care Opinion Australia 6 months ago
Submitted on 19/09/2024 at 11:44 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 11:45 AM


The below response has been posted by Care Opinion on behalf of NT Health.

Dear Just a URN

I am saddened to read of your recent negative experience when attending Royal Darwin Hospital.

I would like to thank you for taking the time to provide this feedback, which provides a very important insight into what patients, and their families, experience when under our care. This allows us the opportunity to learn, and improve how we partner with patients in the delivery of patient-centred care.

I encourage you to contact us directly to discuss your feedback as this will enable us to investigate more thoroughly. You can contact the Consumer Engagement, Complaints and Feedback team on 08 8999 2579 or Feedback.Health@nt.gov.au to discuss your feedback.

Warm regards

Karina

Director, Consumer Engagement, Complaints and Feedback

NT Health

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