hi there I just made call to the royal brisbane hospital regarding my referal for my reconstruction and have been told as a catergory 2 patient the wait is 2 1/2 years! Is this normal for others too??? Or does anyone know anywhere else in brisbane or even the gold or sunny coast that could do it sooner than that?? And does anyone have any idea about going private patient in a public hospital and the costs that might occur for that??? Not sure if Im patient enough to wait that long! I will need expanders in the first instance and then can have implants as Ive had no radiation. Margie :)

WOW @onemargie thats a bit outrageous isn't it?? I know I am in a different State (Melbourne) but I thought Categories would be the same Australia wide.In Victoria Cat 1 is within 30 days, Cat 2 is within 90 days & Cat 3 within 365 days. Now I know that sometimes it runs over but goodness 2 1/2 years is 2 years 3 months over what it should be.Though like I said not sure what the Qld reference guide would be.Cate

@onemargie no I am right, the Qld wait time should be the same...https://www.qld.gov.au/health/services/hospital-care/waiting-lists/

thanks cate, but I had my referal nearly 12 months ago just to see the surgeon and still dont have an appt and i actually rang the plastic surgery dept for breast reconstruction and thats what they told me today and because there is no one up north that can do it either through the public system so everyone gets referred to the royal and there are so many women on the waitlist but I will question them again with the info youve given me when I call them back thanks heaps for looking that up for me I really appreciate it. Margie:)

@onemargie Hey!! Hmmm that sounds odd!! Im also in Melbourne and I chose Public for mastectomy/reconstruction, I was category 2 which was 90 days, so that seems a little ridiculous, unless they have an overwhelming demand? Hmmm I'd look around, might be worth a holiday to Melbourne!!!! x

Sadly wait times do vary from state to state and between regional and city areas. Ladies in some areas are waiting even longer than this. @Kirsten_BCNA put a post up about waiting times a while ago. Here is the link to that post which also has Kirsten's email details, she is very interested in hearing about different wait times. Paula xx

public waiting list for reconstruction

14 Replies

Lisa1407
Member
9 years ago
Yes Margie. I do have private health cover. Decided to get treated publicly due to the reputation of oncologists at Peter Mac and haven't been disappointed. However, I am using my private cover, just in a public hospital. The government pays the hospital extra money if patients go private (because this ultimately costs the government less). This means you get the benefit of the public health system, with all the advantage of private health cover. Lots of people are doing this these days, but my guess is that sometime in the near future they will put a stop to it!
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
Good idea, let us know how you go! I have Private Health Cover, but as a Private patient I would have been out of pocket thousands, plus no waiting periods exactly if youre private, not sure how Peter Mac do that, thats great!. x M
onemargie
Member
9 years ago
Wow! lisa1407 do you have private health insurance??? I will write to the local member today and see how I go ill keep you all posted. Margie
Lisa1407
Member
9 years ago
I am also in Melbourne and am waiting to get an appointment with the plastics team at Peter Mac (delay due to my having changed treatments recently and waiting to make sure my blood work doesn't change). My oncologist told me that there was no waiting list for a private patient to have a reconstruction at Peter Mac. You also don't have to pay for any out of pockets - the hospital pay those for you. :)
onemargie
Member
9 years ago
Ill let you know how I go thanks lovely ladies !! :)
primek
Member
9 years ago
Yes rally the state member. Knowing about issues is the start of change.
onemargie
Member
9 years ago
Hi there mel I would LOVE a trip to melbourne!! but dont have the money at the moment for that! Margie :)
onemargie
Member
9 years ago
Im going to chat to my local state member for parliament and have a whinge. and kath I have seen your magnificent results on the recon group very nice indeed! and thanks paula I will email kirsten too. thanks heaps :)
primek
Member
9 years ago
Just so you know a breast surgeon can do an implant reconstruction. There is no need for a plastic surgeon. (Mine even does nipples) so those w/list might be shorter. Worth a conversation. Mine did a fantastic job. (check out photos in reconstruction group) Mine also works privately. Kath x
mum2jj
Member
9 years ago
Sadly wait times do vary from state to state and between regional and city areas. Ladies in some areas are waiting even longer than this. @Kirsten_BCNA put a post up about waiting times a while ago. Here is the link to that post which also has Kirsten's email details, she is very interested in hearing about different wait times.
Paula xx