NDIS client Tony Di Giovanni had his fingers amputated from hospital infection, now he’s been hit with a bill to stay longer

A hospital patient caught an infection – resulting in finger amputations and prolonging his hospital stay. Now he faces a $74 per day bill for overstaying his welcome.

An NDIS client who had a leg amputated in the Royal Adelaide Hospital, then caught an infection resulting in fingers being amputated, says he was asked to sign paperwork agreeing to a $74 a day charge to continue to stay in the RAH.

Mr Tony Di Giovanni, 55, of Joslin, refused to sign and says he is exhausted physically, emotionally and mentally from the ordeal.

Mr Di Giovanni, who is on kidney dialysis, was admitted to hospital in December for the amputation of his right leg below the knee due to diabetes and a workplace accident.

He was transferred to Modbury Hospital for rehabilitation where he caught the infection, then moved back to the RAH in January where the fingers on his right hand were amputated.

Tony Di Giovanni in the RAH.

“They told me I needed to go back to Modbury for rehabilitation, but I don’t want to go, that’s where I caught the infection,” he said.

“The same day they came back with a form to sign from administration saying I was a long term client and when I looked through it I saw there were fees, so I refused to sign it — I have never had to pay before as a public patient.

“Staying in hospital is the safest thing for me. I don’t know what will happen to me if they force me to leave.”

Patients classified as Long Stay Nursing Home Type patients face a $74.20 a day charge for taking up an acute hospital bed if they have stayed longer than 35 days and a doctor has deemed they are “non-acute.”

Fred and Beryl Coleman of Hackham West who were shocked to receive a bill for $1113 after Fred stayed at Flinders Medical Centre.

Hackham West pensioners Fred and Beryl Coleman were hit with a $1113 bill under this clause after Mr Coleman, 90 was billed for 15 days in Flinders Medical Centre – where he caught Covid – after staying almost three months following a broken hip from a fall.

Central Adelaide Local Health Network chief executive Emma McCahon said: “We’re working closely with Mr Di Giovanni, Workcover and the NDIS, discussing a range of discharge options appropriate for his care needs.

“Currently, there is no discharge plan in place, and Mr Di Giovanni is not being charged for his care at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.”

Only people who are fit for discharge and continue to stay in hospital are charged a daily fee, adjusted for individual financial circumstances.

Independent MLC Frank Pangallo. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

However, Independent MLC Frank Pangallo who is advocating for Mr Di Giovanni said he fears these directions are being issued to public patients so SA Health can “clear beds and attempt to ease the ramping crisis.”

Tony Di Giovanni in the RAH.

Tony Di Giovanni lost the fingers on his right hand after an infection acquired in hospital.

“I visited Mr Di Giovanni in hospital and it’s obvious he is not in a state to leave hospital care because of the acute nature of his medical conditions,” Mr Pangallo said.

“To put patients in this condition under so much additional stress is cruel and insensitive. Mr Di Giovanni’s fate rests in the hands of SA Health bureaucrats and doctors at the hospital.

“Mr Di Giovanni has serious concerns there will be a further deterioration of his condition if he is forced to leave the RAH.

“This is totally unfair. Patients should have a right to receive high standards of care which has been provided to him by caring staff at the RAH, however they have no say when bureaucrats present patients with an ultimatum.”