Disappointed and confused by the system
I should start by saying I am almost 73 and have had a lifetime of excellent health (apart from hysterectomy a couple of years ago) and never expected to be dealing with this. Mammograms stopped a few...
Forum Discussion
Welcome @Annski,
I learnt very early on that I was to take control of my treatment plan and ensure my mental health.
I did have an excellent team ( also a private patient) but I still had to ensure that phone calls were made and appointments booked in, especially in the beginning.
If I didn't receive a phone call when expected, I rang either the surgeon's office or the place that was supposed to give me the schedule.
I am not someone who can reschedule their life at short notice and needed to get the appointments into my diary.
I found that some of the scheduling teams were inclined to leave appointment scheduling to very close to the time of the appointment which did not sit well with either my work schedule or my mental health!
So if your are not happy with the way things are progressing be proactive.
You are paying these people and need to be confident in both their attention to your needs and to treat you as a valued patient.
Remember too that you can always switch to the public system at any time.
No, things do not always go the way they are supposed to, people do not always do what they say they are going to do, and proceedures are not always followed.
So you are quite within your rights to question everything and to insist on being informed.
Dont just rely on others to do what you think they should.
If you want your results of anything, ask for them.
You can get reports from your GP, surgeon, Oncologist, for any scans or tests you have.
I have printed copies of all pathology reports, all scan reports, blood tests, letters from one specialist to another indicating treatment plans, MRI results, etc.
I hope you can get the knowledge you need to ensure that you get the best of care no matter what treatments you choose.
I learnt very early on that I was to take control of my treatment plan and ensure my mental health.
I did have an excellent team ( also a private patient) but I still had to ensure that phone calls were made and appointments booked in, especially in the beginning.
If I didn't receive a phone call when expected, I rang either the surgeon's office or the place that was supposed to give me the schedule.
I am not someone who can reschedule their life at short notice and needed to get the appointments into my diary.
I found that some of the scheduling teams were inclined to leave appointment scheduling to very close to the time of the appointment which did not sit well with either my work schedule or my mental health!
So if your are not happy with the way things are progressing be proactive.
You are paying these people and need to be confident in both their attention to your needs and to treat you as a valued patient.
Remember too that you can always switch to the public system at any time.
No, things do not always go the way they are supposed to, people do not always do what they say they are going to do, and proceedures are not always followed.
So you are quite within your rights to question everything and to insist on being informed.
Dont just rely on others to do what you think they should.
If you want your results of anything, ask for them.
You can get reports from your GP, surgeon, Oncologist, for any scans or tests you have.
I have printed copies of all pathology reports, all scan reports, blood tests, letters from one specialist to another indicating treatment plans, MRI results, etc.
I hope you can get the knowledge you need to ensure that you get the best of care no matter what treatments you choose.