Maitland Public or Private Hospitals?
Has anyone here had treatment in Maitland Private or Maitland Public Hospitals? Financial constraints are pushing me towards the Public System but we do have Private Health Insurance so could go Pri...
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I had shoulder surgery at Maitland Private 12+ years ago & it was excellent.
You should be able to ask your surgeon for written quotes on both hospitals, so that you can see the actual costs - and plan for them.
I went private with my surgeon (my surgery was 2 days after I saw him!) and I knew there was a fair sized gap to pay - but he was the best & I had the best aesthetic outcome too.
(I went to Sydney for it & never regretted it.) My surgeon is the the Head of Surgery at Westmead Cancer Institute and an associate clinical professor at the University of Sydney, where he teaches.
All the best xx
I’ve been to the Maitland Private hospital a couple of times over the years and they are lovely there.
i saw my surgeon yesterday and my options are Maitland Public Hospital in 4 or 6 weeks as she only works there every second Thursday, or, Warners Bay Private Hospital next Wednesday.
My dilemma is, if I go to the public hospital, I can have my radiotherapy at a local private clinic through the public system so will be bulk billed. If I go through the private hospital, I’m then classed as a private patient, and I will be considered a private patient at the local radiotherapy clinic and the out of pocket costs will be between $600 and $3,500.
I can go to the public radiotherapy clinic and be bulk billed but it’s a 45 minute drive each way. I have several other chronic pain issues, fibromyalgia, bulging discs in my neck, spinal fusion in lumbar spine and osteoarthritis to top it all off. I will be in absolute agony just on day one let alone five days a week for however many weeks it will be.
I’m screwed whichever way I go.
SYLV1E
I had my surgery done in a private hospital (with a gap that I'd been quoted, so was aware of it - my op was 2 days after I'd seen him!) If you can 'do' next week for your op - DO IT xxThen I had my radiation in the public system at Port Macquarie. I was able to stay at their 'Rotary Lodge' for minimal cost during my 4 weeks of treatment. It was an hour+ each way, if I drove - and I seriously didn't want to do that as my husband had dementia & I couldn't leave him at home alone, so I took him with me! :)
So don't worry about switching between the two - public & private.If anyone says you can't - they are fibbing.
Have you signed up for IPTAAS yet? They have a 'culmulative kms' over a period of time too where you can claim fuel costs .... and they will also assist with accommodation costs (but not all.)
Where abouts (roughly) is the public radiotherapy clinic you might attend? THEY should be able to advise you where clients are able to stay during their treatment. xx
IF you have family and/or friends living nearby - you can even stay with THEM and also be paid 'some' accommodation costs (not as much), that you can then pass on to them as a 'thank you'.
The actual 'radiation treatment' only takes about 15mins .... sometimes the 'setting you up' might take about the same!Is it the driving that will cause you pain (with your other issues :( ) Is someone able to drive you there?
Take care & all the best xx
Thanks for your reply.
I haven’t applied for IPTAAS yet. Can I apply before I actually start the treatment?
The only public radiotherapy clinic in our area is at The Mater Hospital at Waratah and it is a 45 minute drive each way. The private clinic is only 20 minutes each way.
I wouldn’t be driving, but just passenging is enough to cause a flare-up. I normally have to carefully plan my appointments and outings so that I don’t have two days in a row so five days in a row, for that length of time, will be excruciating.
I’m also concerned about attending the Mater Hospital as they have had a major mould problem there over the last few years and there has been some deaths attributed to it.
I have respiratory issues as well so I really don’t want to go there.
I have spoken with the admin manager at the local private radiotherapy clinic and she has indicated that they can bulk bill under certain circumstances but it’s nothing that can be confirmed until after they receive a referral from my surgeon and that won’t happen until after the surgery.
I think I’m just going to have to put the next two phases of my treatment out of my head for now and just concentrate on the surgery which WILL be next week. Having to wait 4 or possibly 6 weeks is just something I don’t want to even think about.
We decided early on that we didn’t want to tell our daughters until we knew exactly what we were dealing with and had a plan. They each have their own kids now and we have an extremely neuro spicy family so reducing their anxiety is a big priority.
Now that we have a surgery date for next Wednesday, tomorrow is the day to tell them. It’s funny that I’m more worried about them coping with it as their day to day lives are already hugely intense.
Wow, sorry for prattling on so much but I do really appreciate having someone to vent to.
Thank you so much for being that person. xoNo worries, Vent away SYLV1E!! We're all here to help each other, as we've already 'been there, done that' - and as they say - the 'lived experience' is SO MUCH DIFFERENT than the 'text book' experience that most Drs & Clinicians have read about, but not actually experienced themselves!
Everyone here comes with a little bit of knowledge that gets added to the 'how to cope' mechanism .... and it helps everyone else too! I'm glad I (and others) are able to help xx
And living Rural/Regional adds extra complexities too.
I hope your daughters 'step up to the plate' and SUPPORT you, rather than adding to your worries xx. YOU are the important one just now .... They will, no doubt be surprised (?worried/offended?) that you've kept it quiet up til now .... but they just need to 'man up' (?girl up?) and put you as their top priority just now.
FANTASTIC that you are 'in' for your op next week xx YAY! You'll feel SO much better once it is over & you have your 'game plan'. xx
Make sure you take a warm 'cardigan' or similar to wear in bed as well as an eye mask & even ear plugs (hospitals are usually cold, noisy, well lit places!) My ear plugs were a lifesaver!!You can sign up with IPTAAS at any time (better to do it earlier than later!) As with any Gov dept - Like 'MyGov' - sometimes it can take a while & the wheels can turn slowly.
I am pretty sure IPTAAS will still need a copy of the referral from your GP/Surgeon to your Radiation Oncologist (make sure they make it an "INDEFINITE Referral'' so you don't have to get it renewed every 2 years for IPTAAS! As you'll be seeing the Rad Onc for at least 5 years after your treatment. xx The 'forms to fill in' are on the IPTAAS website. Your surgeon/Rad Onc (or the hospital receptionist) may need to sign the IPTAAS forms, confirming your 'visits'! They are used to doing this.
https://www.iptaas.health.nsw.gov.au/
You and your driver could both stay at the Calvary hospital accom. (The separate villas there are nice - but the 'shared' accom - where you have your own room but shared kitchen and bathroom - is a bit ordinary. ) We stayed there for some of my husband's treatment - sadly, he had cancer as well as dementia. 😪 There ARE some 'nicer' villas as well .... ask them about them!!!
Maybe speak with the Hospital Social Worker re your chronic pain issues xx They may be able to get you into the villa (rather than the shared accom!) The earlier you contact them (if you decide to go to the Mater) the better chance of getting the Villa - as they are well used by regional/rural folk.Onsite accommodation
If you have to travel a long way to have your radiation treatment you may qualify to stay in a room in the ‘Villas’, our onsite accommodation. Due to the high demand for these rooms, they are allocated on a needs basis. The majority of the cost is usually covered by the state government’s Isolated Patient Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS)."
Re the mould - I'd just wear a face mask at all times inside the hospital. They are well aware of it - I think it was 'live in' patients in 'some' wards that were affected, rather than those staying in the accommodation.
With a bit of luck you'll get a villa.
Sadly, many hospitals have some issue with either mould or superbugs .... so always just cover up, to be on the safe side.
Hospitals can be unhealthy places! LOL
So with Rads, usually you have treatment every day Mon-Fri (you can go home for weekends, if you are able to 'live in'.) So you aren't traveling every day.
Start cooking & freezing your favourite meals, so you have yummy food 'ready to go' when you get home again! ;)
Take care & all the best xx