Cheetah7

Thats a good idea about complaining about the pain. I hope that woman doesnt keep you waiting days to back up what you have told her.

TiddlyPom

Well she hasn't called me back yet....

Cheetah7

I would call her back before close of business and tell her you are taking it further.

Honestly I can see her waiting till next week and time is ticking in terms of your leg.

TiddlyPom

Today all my friends have called so I'm going to call her back when this one is off the phone...

Cheetah7

Start sobbing down the phone and tell her your leg has fallen off, tell her it has gone black and is black a normal colour for a leg in plaster?

Tell her that you walked near a magnet and the screws in your leg threw you to the magnet and you are now upside down with your furry letterbox on display and could she please help you pronto!

TiddlyPom

.... in the rain....




Bloody answerphone AGAIN.

Swerv-o

Make sure that you document all of the attempts that you have made here.

14:22 27/01/12 - Attempted to call. Telephone engaged
15:37 27/01/12 - Called again - no reply - went to answerphone - message left

Etc.

It's great to have this stuff to wave in their faces if and when it comes to complaints time.


S

TiddlyPom

Thanks. It's all documented.

I have also looked at my rights under health services and it says ...

i) Be informed of any costs of services
and choose to be treated as a public
or private patient

I will be quoting that when I call her back again.

hater

First a big portion of good luck to you...
I can totally feel what youre going thru, had the same problem earlier this month... But I'm totally private insured so I had the option to go the private route (which in my case turned out to be cheaper... )...

Technically I would give my GP another call/visit and try to let him sort it out, normally a good GP can do more than the patient itself...

Beside that get a quote what the private care would cost you in total... It may be more affordable than you think...And even if you don't go there it is a good "point" in discussion..i.e "So you refuse to thread me. So I have to go totally private which will cost XY $...I will directly sent you the bill..Do you want that?"

TiddlyPom

Thanks... but I've already checked the private costs....

To have the two screws removed privately, I have to pay mega bucks, as I need to pay anesthesia too.... It's totally ridiculous.

Hope you are all fixed up now.

No-one can 'force' anyone to go private. What's the point of public health care if that's the case?

It's 1605 and this woman hasn't called me back.
That's three calls to her today.

hater

Yeah, sorry, forgot the screw...Operations are freaking expensive...
(But if everything wents wrong write me a PM... I can recommend you to a few excellent -european- ortho-surgeons in Thailand... Who charge you about 30% of what you pay here...Just in case)..

What does your GP say to the hole situation?

TiddlyPom

My GP is horrified. He's written a referral and he's rung them, but they still say that because I did this 'out of area', they won't take me unless Port Macquarie ortho speak to their ortho... which they have done.

I swear this whole thing I have fulfilled every condition they've asked for. They've made everyone jump through hoops and I'm still no further on.

Going to a local hospital, complaining of pain and purple toes is probably the best way forward.
I'm kinda tired of complaining. Last night I lay awake for three hours because this whole thing is stressing me out so much.

hater

Go for the press... Go for the MP...and gather a few friends to have a small demonstration before the ED.. (yes, I mean that seriouly.... THAT is a 100% secure way to get the attention of the press...and the hospital... Occupy hospital.. I would come..but NSW is a bit far away..)

TiddlyPom

I suspect that's how it's going to turn out....

I might ring the hospital myself, page the ortho surgeon and ask if he'll accept me. I might just bypass all these clerical people. They're driving me insane.

hater

Thats a good idea! Go for it