Adelaide woman faces 11-year wait to see a doctor — after waiting a year already

A WOMAN who has already waited a year for an outpatient appointment says she has been told she faces another 11 years before she can see a public hospital specialist.

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A WOMAN waiting more than a year for an outpatient appointment to see a urologist says she was contacted by hospital officials and told she faces another 11 years to be seen.

In the meantime she had been rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after her original problem worsened.

Michele Clarke, 49, of Andrews Farms says she is now in limbo as well as in pain.

The disability pensioner said: “It’s been a circus and a half — they wanted to know if I still wanted the appointment then they tell me it will be another 11 years before I see anyone.”

Michele and Bryan Clarke at their Andrew Farms home. Picture: DYLAN COKER

Last November The Advertiser revealed patients faced waiting years between making an appointment and getting to see a specialist in a public hospital, after which they may be put on a waiting list for elective surgery if necessary.

In Mrs Clarke’s case, she needed a urology appointment following problems including a cyst and said she made the booking at Lyell McEwin Hospital (LMH) more than a year ago.

On Easter Sunday she was taken to LMH in pain but was told the surgical team was rostered off and was transferred to the Royal Adelaide Hospital for emergency surgery.

“I had a 9cm kidney stone and the RAH surgeon was wonderful but there were complications from an infection,” Mrs Clarke said. “Then last week I get the call from Lyell McEwin asking if I still want the appointment and they tell me it might be in 11 years — 2029.”

The Advertiser has been advised the maximum wait time at LMHl for low-priority urology outpatient services is currently eight years.

Director of Allied Health, Corporate and Outpatient Services, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network, Sandra Parr, said all outpatients were clinically assessed and prioritised according to individual needs.

“We are currently recruiting an additional urologist and a specialist urology nurse which will help to improve wait times, and we’re also undergoing a review of outpatient lists to look at alternative options to assist patients who have been waiting a long time,” she said.

“If a patient’s condition changes, they can be reassessed by their GP and potentially re-categorised.”

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