❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the delayed cardiology appointment of Mr. John Schofield at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, highlighting concerns about waiting times and potential health consequences. The Minister's response addresses the reasons for the cancellation and subsequent appointment.
AnsweredQoN 3064Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the case of a patient, Mr John Schofield who, post-surgery at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital (SCGH) late in 2009, experienced a racing heart and was rushed to the Intensive Care Unit until stabilised and then was subsequently referred to a heart specialist by his anaesthetist, and ask:
(a) why was his appointment with a heart specialist at SCGH, scheduled for 24 March 2010, cancelled only a few days before his appointment;
(b) is it true that, after not hearing anything from SCGH for several weeks, he called to find out when his re-scheduled appointment was and was verbally advised it would be sometime next year;
(c) is it true that this patient, despite being medicated for high blood pressure and a family history of heart attack (resulting in the death of at least five family members), will have to wait until 2011 to be seen by a heart specialist;
(d) is the Minister aware that, during the time that this particular patient has been waiting for an appointment with a heart specialist, his brother has died from a massive heart attack; and
(e) what is the average waiting time for an appointment to see a heart specialist in a public hospital, given that this patient was verbally advised that the normal wait to see a heart specialist is around 12months?
(a) why was his appointment with a heart specialist at SCGH, scheduled for 24 March 2010, cancelled only a few days before his appointment;
(b) is it true that, after not hearing anything from SCGH for several weeks, he called to find out when his re-scheduled appointment was and was verbally advised it would be sometime next year;
(c) is it true that this patient, despite being medicated for high blood pressure and a family history of heart attack (resulting in the death of at least five family members), will have to wait until 2011 to be seen by a heart specialist;
(d) is the Minister aware that, during the time that this particular patient has been waiting for an appointment with a heart specialist, his brother has died from a massive heart attack; and
(e) what is the average waiting time for an appointment to see a heart specialist in a public hospital, given that this patient was verbally advised that the normal wait to see a heart specialist is around 12months?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 June 2010
Responded by
Minister for Health
Response time
21 days
(a) Mr Schofield's appointment for 24 March 2010 was cancelled following a storm which flooded the outpatient area effectively making the area unavailable.
(b) When Mr Schofield called the hospital he was offered the first available appointment for a category two patient.
(c) As Mr Schofield had previously been cancelled, he was given an appointment on 17 May 2010 to be seen in the Cardiology Clinic. He has subsequently been seen and has a follow-up appointment on 26 July 2010.
(d) No.
(e) All referrals received are reviewed and categorised for urgency by medical staff with the most urgent patients being seen first.
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(b) When Mr Schofield called the hospital he was offered the first available appointment for a category two patient.
(c) As Mr Schofield had previously been cancelled, he was given an appointment on 17 May 2010 to be seen in the Cardiology Clinic. He has subsequently been seen and has a follow-up appointment on 26 July 2010.
(d) No.
(e) All referrals received are reviewed and categorised for urgency by medical staff with the most urgent patients being seen first.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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