Shaun Davidson in bizarre RAH whirlwind with three toes amputated and no room to stay

The Port Augusta businessman says he was caught up in a baffling series of events that began when staff surprised him with news he was going in for surgery.

The health crisis seeing “every single available bed” being used resulted in an amputation patient being forced to sleep in a cubicle with a curtain but no TV or bathroom for three nights this month as there were no ward beds available at the $2.7bn Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Shaun Davidson from Port Augusta who says he was kept in an RAH cubicle after an amputation. Picture: Supplied

Shaun Davidson, 59, says he was left in a “holding bay” of cubicles but SA Health says the patient was placed “in a suitable bed” throughout his stay.

The retail businessman from Port Augusta was in the RAH earlier in the year when a badly infected right foot lead to three toes being amputated.

He says he then was caught in a bizarre series of events starting with an unexpected call on Monday May 13 from RAH admissions staff telling him he was booked in for surgery that day and his room was ready.

“I didn’t know what they were talking about — no-one had mentioned anything to me about more surgery and they would not give me any more information,” he said.

He says he was told he could have the room the following day so drove down on the Tuesday trying to get information along the way, only to find there was no room for him.

“I was told to come into the assessment area where they put me in a bed in a cubicle with a curtain but with no TV or toilet,” he said.

Mr Davidson spent two night in the cubicle and finally had surgery on the Thursday to remove the remaining two toes on his right foot.

“I expected to wake up in an actual room but ended up in a different cubicle, still with no TV or toilet, and they wanted me to sign over my private health insurance — for what?” he said.

“I finally got a room on the Friday night, when they told me they wanted to discharge me on the Saturday but after having two toes lopped off there were no podiatrists to check on me on the weekend so I wasn’t going anywhere.”

Mr Davidson ended up staying until being checked on the Monday and thinks the saga may have been triggered by his community nurse sending photos of his foot to the RAH.

“Instead of frilly artwork and a grand piano they might be better off putting money into patient care,” he said.

Central Adelaide Local Health Network Executive Director Operations and Performance, Rachael Kay apologised for any distress experienced by Mr Davidson.

“The clinical team obtained appropriate treatment consents at every stage. Mr Davidson was also placed in a suitable bed throughout his stay,” she said.

“We always encourage patients with concerns to immediately speak with their care team, or the Consumer Experience team.”