This show is both hysterically funny and cringeworthy at the same time. Why? Because "Utopia" is so close to the truth of how large organisations and institutions actually function, In this surreal world of discussion papers, focus groups, community involvement, strategic planning, independent reviews (what a joke) and responsible actions that are supposedly fair and unbiased, the employees of these agencies have their hands tied, their functions are bizarre and their operations inconsistent and often outrageous.
Recently, the operator of a cruise company in the North West was given advice by a government official; to sack his Australian staff and employ overseas workers instead. The relevant legislation, in this case, is an unwieldy farce, which is why the cruise company operator was given such feedback. He was aghast and contacted the media. The government public relations team swung into action and called this man a liar. Which he wasn't. Which was finally admitted, quietly. And the fall guy was some poor sod who was attempting to offer a solution within unworkable laws.
This week, the United States has been called to account for bombing a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Afganistan. In their scramble to avoid blame, their PR machine immediately launched into overdrive. Their story as to how the hospital came under attack changed four times in four days. But an admission of guilt? An apology? God forbid that these responses be actually voiced. And once again, some poor bastard will be blamed, disappear and be treated as a pariah. Until the story blows over and we forget.
Which brings me to an interesting observation - how to maintain our self-esteem in the presence of downright lies, hazy or fudged rules, laws or guidelines and a system that protects the powerful and thus, ignores, punishes or denounces the ordinary ones amongst us, denying us any form of justice.
Those of you who read my blog know the story of Michael's hospital admissions for bilateral pneumonia in April 2014. An overnight stay and the appointment of a respiratory specialist one week. Michael's rapid deterioration and our fears when we discovered this specialist was on leave. Our GP's assurance that Michael would be treated at an alternative hospital under an alternative specialist. who happened to be head of department in a Perth private hospital. We were so relieved and arrived at Admissions at this hospital clutching a letter from our GP requesting fluids and oxygen straight away.
We assumed we were saved. And, as I have an adult son, who has undergone about twenty surgical procedures, in a variety of hospitals, including three very satisfactory stays in this hospital, I automatically felt more in control and at ease.
Which is when the hospital stay started going pear shaped. We were not seen by the specialist and his team of minions for four hours after admission. Michael was not given fluids or oxygen during this time "because the doctor hadn't seen him". The specialist turned out to be the kind of arrogant little man who I thought had become an extinct dinosaur within the hospital system. At this stage, I didn't care, as long as Michael became better.
Then the inconsistencies began unfolding. A nurse who couldn't install Michael's IV (his veins were collapsing) and insisted nurses were not allowed to install an IV above the patient's hand. An impatient registrar who installed the drip and ordered me out of Michael's room, mistaking my terror and frustration for anger and accused me of dragging her away from other patients. Then changes of three IV antibiotics in three days, one change happening by phone from the specialist. Then Michael's liver function became abnormal and I was told by one of the registrars this was being caused by the IV antibiotic. And that he couldn't be given regular IV panadol because of his liver function deterioration.
The list went on. A visit from a dietician that never materialised into any changes for Michael. My report that Michael was having difficulty urinating was never recorded. Sloppy nursing practice - a sharp was dropped on the ground next to Michael's bed. This was quietly disposed of when I eventually brought it to a nurses's attention.
I had two meeting with nurse managers - one on 13 April and the next on the 14 April. By this time, I was very unhappy with our treatment and Michael was not responding well. On 14 April, he became increasingly disoriented and was hallucinating due to his fever. I discovered that the drug Michael was receiving was not on the PBS and was expensive. We had not given financial consent for this drug.
I requested a hospital transfer on 14 April as I had ascertained Michael's original specialist was back from leave. The hospital and doctors were aware of this request. As we battled on, I became frightened that Michael was going to die. He was dehydrated, febrile and unable to sit up himself. I begged the nursing staff all that awful day to send for the specialist.
He waltzed into Michael's room and turned his back on me after he'd informed us he would continue the antibiotic that I had been told, by his registrar, was affecting Michael's liver. I literally saw red and ordered the pack of them out of the room. We were given no discharge information, in spite of asking for a medical summary. Clutching only Michael's original x-rays, we set out to return to Joondalup Health Campus.
We spent a further two weeks in hospital. Michael was very sick. The staff were superb. Recognising the extent of his dehydration and fever, he received a rapid induction of fluids and IV panadol as soon as he was admitted. Antibiotics were started, we were both consulted by the Emergency team and we were moved up to the ward as soon as possible. From being in a fog of scant information and woeful treatment, I felt we'd been delivered to paradise.
The HBF hospital representative urged me to complain in writing about the other specialist. He had apparently been the object of numerous verbal complaints. She advised me to contact HADSCO - the Health and Disability Services Complaints Office. All I stated I wanted was a written apology from the other hospital, the specialist and an assurance that my concerns would be treated with respect. My primary focus was that no other patient should endure what had happened to Michael.
First brick wall. HADSCO could not compel the specialist "to participate in the process". So in June 2014, I wrote to AHPRA - the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. I listed ten desired outcomes, including a written apology by the specialist. I was repeatedly advised, in writing, that AHPRA would attend to my complaint, but that this would be a long process.
They were not joking. I have just received the official report of the completed investigation. As AHPRA "work closely with the Medical Board of Australia", an independent response to my complaint immediately shot out the window. There will be no regulatory action taken.
In short, here are the Board's findings and I am summarising -
- the specialist didn't respond to me as I was not the patient. You know, the old privacy issues line that prohibits me from speaking on his behalf
- that Michael was attended to "within a reasonable period"
- he was assessed within forty-five minutes of arrival (not by a doctor) - lie
- he was seen by the specialist and his team at 15.40 - that is a blatant lie
- that the nursing assessment undertaken for hypoxia did not indicate Michael required oxygen. Then why did we arrive with a GP's letter stating he needed oxygen. Also, the original nurse clearly stated Michael could not receive oxygen until he'd been seen by the doctor - lie
- that information supplied by the registrar regarding Michael's liver function had been a "misunderstanding" - lie. I know what I was told
- that the specialist has apologised for prescribing the non-PBS drug without our consent - to whom? Certainly not us
- that the specialist rang Joondalup health Campus, but there is no record of this call (!)
- that Michael's medical records "were freely available". The notes just weren't released with us
- that the specialist "does not appear to pose an ongoing risk to the public"
- the Board's decision is final
- and they will keep this information on file, in case there are "any concerns raised about Dr ...... in the future".
What a stunning outcome. We waited sixteen months for this illuminating reply. No independence, no transparency, no evidence. And, obviously, I must be a liar or just seriously misguided to have raised such a complaint in the first place.
Welcome to "Utopia". I considered sending this post to AHPRA for their perusal and comment. But what would be the point? They are another toothless tiger, bound by secrecy, mountains of red tape and extraordinary practices all designed to prevent any change to the status quo.
And how am I maintaining my self-esteem in the face of such nonsense? Because I told the truth.
View from Michael's hospital window at Joondalup Health Campus April 2014
A simple mater of...
telling the truth...
being patient and waiting...
and waiting, whilst on leave from ward H4 at Joondalup Health Campus November 2014...
and waiting, when back again...Joondalup Health Campus August 2015...
FOR...
a load of claptrap!
However, ending on a positive note, here is an affectionate and grateful tribute to Michael's ongoing specialist. Whom we hope not to see in the near future!
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