Sorry you are experiencing a wait in the public hospital system, it was the same for me. However rest assured you will get good treatment at the hospitals in Melbourne, although the wait can be rather daunting. I looked at your profile and I was diagnosed the actually same day (23 November), but my diagnosis was in 2016. Unfortunately being close to Christmas and holiday season it can be a little bit extra time to wait, and my surgery was on 24 January, so was 2 months later. I am also in Melbourne and went to the Austin, which is an EXTREMELY busy hospital. I later changed to the Northern Hospital, as it is closer to home and I continued on with my chemo, and the staff there do not appear stressed. I hated all the noise at the Austin, and we were given a buzzer and called by buzzer when our turn came. Buzzers, going off left right and centre!
Try not to stress, because I know that the Alfred and Peter Mac also have really good oncology departments, but you may have to wait longer as you are finding out, but it would also be the same with the Austin, as was the case for me. I not sure about Royal Melbourne, but my guess is perhaps just as busy as all the inner Melbourne public hospitals. That said though, they do have all the facilities, not like the outer Melbourne public hospitals, example the Northern do not have all the ancillary rooms/services but they send their patients to the private ones in the area, and is bulk billed, and I ended up being sent to a private local radiation clinic as a public patient. You will get the treatment you need but do keep in touch with them to make sure they are lining up the appointments for you. I have known public patients who have chosen the Alfred over some other public hospitals for some surgeries they need. I really hope things progress for you quickly after your biopsy has taken place. Take care and I wish you all the best. xx
