Changing hospitals - how is it done?

katym

Hi,
I am currently being treated for breast cancer at Monash Health. I have had enough. I have had two surgeries with ‘unexpected’ poor outcomes (the type of situation where the doctors keep saying ‘well this doesn’t normally happen’ - except it’s now happened twice). 

I am now  two weeks post my second surgery with an open and infected surgical wound and no follow up appointment for another two weeks because their breast clinic is busy and am being suggested to just see my GP in the meantime. 

I am so upset about my care and want to change hospitals before I start oncology. Has anyone done this? How is it done? I don’t have private hospital insurance. 

terrianne

Like you, I'm a public patient.When I was first diagnosed, I was referred to Royal Melbourne with an initial treatment plan suggested by the surgeon who initially saw me.  After some consultations down there, the plan changed and the breast care nurse there asked if I'd like to be referred back to Bendigo, where I live, for a simple excision.  All it took for me was saying "yes, please".  

The first referral, though, was to a general surgeon, which I wasn't happy with, so I went to see my GP and got a referral from him to a local breast surgeon. RM did follow up with a corrected referral to the same local specialist surgeon, so I'm seeing her now.

That was all before treatment started, though - that might complicate matters for you.

Maybe talking to your GP would be a good start if you can get a quick appointment with them? Or talking to your breast care nurse. Both those roles were very helpful for me.

Whatever ends up happening, I hope things improve for you, and quickly.

arpie

@katym - I am so sorry to hear your story.  It shouldn't happen like that - and most members who've been thru the public system have glowing reports from their stay.   Do you have a breast care nurse?  They may be able to ride 'shotgun' for you & deal with the phonecalls etc re changing hospitals, as I can only imagine how upsetting this all is - and know that I would be a total mess, if it had happened to me    Do you require a 3rd surgery now?

Whereabouts are you (roughly) ... your suburb or town (you can add it to your profile - click on the 'face' on the right hand side of the blue banner up above, and add it)  ... Members in that area may be able to point you to a specific hospital/Cancer Centre if they know your location. xx

If your wound is infected, you really should be seen right away!  Definitely get in with your GP ASAP - but If you notice a lot of redness/swelling around the surgery site or you get a high temperature in the mean time - I reckon you could just call for an ambulance & get them to check it out!  ANY infection is not good for your recovery.

take care & I hope things turn around for you shortly xx

katym

Thanks both for the replies. 

I am in Bayside Melbourne and am thinking of trying to transfer to Peter Mac.  

Thanks @terrianne - I have made an appointment with my GP. I am glad you were able to change before treatment started -that’s my worry that it will be hard or very slow to move somewhere else at this point. 

@arpie thank for you reply too. To your question, no, I went for a second opinion from a surgeon outside Monash and he said that he wouldn’t recommend further surgery, although there will always be question marks over what they’ve done so far. At this stage I would have a breakdown if they went back for a third go.