‘Doctor who saw me said I was “too fat” for ultrasound’
I recently presented myself to the Bendigo Hospital emergency department after spending five days battling severe pain in my upper abdomen, nausea, diarrheoa and extensive sweating. I arrived at 4pm Saturday 28th July and waited 31/2 hours to be seen.
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The first doctor who saw me said I was “too fat” for an ultrasound. Seriously, this is appalling manners and I only weigh 89kg.
I was sent to a bed in the short stay area where I was given admission paperwork to be signed. My blood results showed a high white cell count indicating an infection. They ordered a chest xray and CT scan. I was advised I had to drink four cups of contrast fluid before the CT scan, however I only got two as the nurse never came back in time to supply the rest. I advised the person who came to take me for the CT scan of this - they just shrugged and carried on.
I was put on IV fluids and antibiotics on Saturday night and into early Sunday morning. I was also given anti-nausea meds and three Endone and paracetamol regularly.
When a doctor came around at 8.30am Sunday morning he advised me I was OK and should be discharged, even though I still had these symptoms - they were just being controlled by meds.
I advised them I was in no condition to go home as my carer was unavailable due to a pre-planned visit to Melbourne. The doctor kept trying to call my carer and make them arrange for me to go home. Sometime later a community care nurse came and said I was taking up a bed, even though half the beds were empty. She said the most ridiculous remark - that she would send me home in a taxi and get a locksmith to let me into my home, if I could shower myself I didn’t need a carer. Who does she think she is?
I asked for another doctor to see me and at about 5pm a senior doctor came and examined me. She went away then came back a short while later and said I had serious issues and was in no condition to be sent home.
On the Monday at 10am I had an ultrasound without any problems with weight. Two hours later I was being transferred to a surgical ward and being prepped for emergency surgery to remove my gall-bladder.
The follow up appointment two weeks later was scheduled for 2.15pm. My letter said there was a “team of doctors” - there was one doctor seeing to patients and one other person standing in the corridor gasbagging rather than working. After over an hour I left and told the receptionist it was unacceptable and that my GP would take care of post-surgery treatment.
The State Health Minister has been advised of the appalling treatment.
No apology has yet been received from the hospital.
Darren Howard, Epsom
Read more
A missing thanks
Amidst the acknowledgments at the recent official opening of the new Bendigo Base Hospital no mention was made of the contribution by previous CEO John Mulder. This seems a deliberate, petty and weak attempt to rewrite history. The facts remain that Mr Mulder was instrumental in achieving the magnificent new hospital and the local and regional community has much to thank him for.
Peter Thompson, Bendigo
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