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"Forceful CT scan"

About: Perth Radiological Clinic - Midland Public Hospital

(as a service user),

I was booked to have 2 scans (PET and MRI). These are the ONLY ones the doctor told me were needed, the only ones that were on the booking confirmation, and the only ones that I was given consent forms for. 

I felt the staff were shoving me around from place to place and informed me that I was to have a CT as well. They would not let me refuse the unwanted (and as far I know unrequested) scan. I was told that it was not up to me, that it was definitely being done and I was to comply. 

I tried to tell them that I felt that 3 contrasts in a couple of hours was too much for me, but they insisted it had to be done. According to them, the doctor changed their mind at the last minute and told them they had to do it. I had been given forms to sign only for the 2 requested scans.

According to the staff I was not allowed to refuse the unrequested scan.
I tried arguing with the staff that I was not told to have the CT, that I did not want it, and that they had no right to be forcing me. I told them that if the doctor changed their mind and wanted it, they could tell me themselves and it could be done locally at a later time, not be forced by them. I was told that it was not permitted to put it off and it must be done that day by the order of the doctor. 

I questioned the staff the whole way about why I was being forced like that, and the staff told me that it must be what the doctor said to do. I am perfectly competent to make my own decisions, and I felt the staff refused to allow me the ability to refuse. I have been suffering since, I believe as a result of being overdosed by 3 lots of contrasts in 3 hours and being forced from place to place to place in the facility. None of the staff would allow me time to question why I was being forced, time to ring to check with the doctor if they had in fact changed their mind, or to have a break in between. I had been told when the booking was made that it was for the 2 scans and that I would not be there more than 2 hours. As a result I was there for 3 1/2 hours being forced between scans and nobody willing to tell me why, except that they were saying the doctor insisted I had to have the third one done at that facility on that day. 

I had been forced to undergo an unrequested CT by another of their branches previously, as they said that the procedure being done could not be done without it. They said when I complained that it would never happen again and in future only requested and agreed to scans would be done. Obviously I believe this is a plan by the company to rip off Medicare and endanger people by forcing scans on them. As a patient I should be permitted to refuse scans that are not requested or required as far as I have been told by the doctor, and I should not be made to feel as if I am being kidnapped and forced by their staff. I feel they are ripping off the system by forcing unnecessary, unrequested and unwanted scans on patients. With the difficulty that many people have getting appointments for scans that are actually needed and requested, they should not be seemingly abusing patients like this.

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