Man loses testicle after Transforming Health reforms sent him to another hospital and delayed surgery by two hours
HEALTH reforms have been blamed for a man losing his testicle because his emergency surgery was transferred from Modbury Hospital — prompting calls for Health Minister Jack Snelling’s resignation.
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SA’s new health reforms have been blamed for a man losing his testicle because his emergency surgery was transferred from Modbury Hospital — prompting calls for the resignation of Health Minister Jack Snelling.
The delay of about two hours was a factor in the devastating outcome, multiple sources have told The Advertiser. A preliminary investigation has been completed.
It is understood the man, who is disabled and in his early 20s, presented to Modbury Hospital about six weeks ago with a twisted testicular problem.
Prior to Transforming Health changes he would have undergone the emergency surgery at Modbury Hospital.
However, under the controversial changes Modbury Hospital is being wound down to a same-day elective surgery hospital
Any urgent cases or cases likely to result in being hospitalised for more than 24 hours are transferred to Lyell McEwin or the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
The case surfaced when a prominent critic of the Transforming Health reforms, Flinders University Emeritus Professor Warren Jones, posted on Facebook that a surgeon and anaesthetist were prepared to operate on an unidentified patient when he arrived at Modbury’s emergency department six weeks ago but were not allowed to under reforms.
Prof Jones said by the time the patient had been transferred to Lyell McEwin Hospital — and surgeons there were ready to operate two hours later — his condition had deteriorated and required more radical surgery that left him with a permanent disability.
No details of the patient’s age or medical condition were released because of confidentiality.
The Advertiser first raised the case with the State Government last Tuesday but was told by a spokesman for Health Minister Jack Snelling it had not occurred under the circumstances claimed by Professor Jones.
“The Health Department has investigated this claim and found that it is not true,” said a statement.
However, The Advertiser since has learnt the man was being prepared for surgery at Modbury, that a theatre was available and the surgeon was ready to perform the surgery when the operation was cancelled.
Sources explained that the procedure involved emergency surgery and would likely to result in lengthy hospitalisation with follow-up work, meaning he had to be moved to Lyell McEwin Hospital at Elizabeth Vale.
Medical sources have told The Advertiser the case was complex and there was no guarantee the man’s testicle would have been saved even if the surgery had been carried out at Modbury Hospital.
They noted any delay can have an impact on the outcome of emergency surgery.
It is understood SA Health staff met with the man’s family this week.
The meeting came after The Advertiser reported last Thursday that a patient had been left with a permanent disability after he was denied emergency surgery at Modbury Hospital, citing two doctors who asked not to be named.
Later that day, Opposition health spokesman Stephen Wade asked Mr Snelling in State Parliament to confirm that “a person who initially presented at the Modbury Hospital emergency department was subject to a more radical surgical procedure at the Lyell McEwin Hospital than necessary due to the refusal of management to allow clinicians to undertake the necessary surgery at Modbury Hospital?”
Mr Snelling told Parliament he was aware of the allegations and “those allegations are incorrect”.
“Mr Speaker, I am aware of allegations that have been put in the public sphere and those allegations are incorrect,” he told the House of Assembly.
Professor Jones on Tuesday said Mr Snelling’s denial of the situation was “unacceptable and he should resign”.
“I believe that this is a cover-up,” he said.
“This is an absolute appalling case (and) this sort of thing is going to happen again and sooner or later there’s going to be a death and the doctors at Modbury believe that.”
In a statement released on Tuesday, Mr Snelling confirmed the incident but denied the Transforming Health protocols and transfer from Modbury to Lyell McEwin Hospital were responsible for the patient losing a testicle.
“A review by senior doctors has confirmed that there is no truth to the claim that the patient’s outcome was compromised in any way,” Mr Snelling said.
“I have spoken to the patient, who agrees, and out of respect for the patient’s wishes I will not be making any further comment.
“The patient is distressed that his personal medical details have been publicly disclosed and has asked his privacy be respected.”
The reforms at Modbury Hospital came into effect in March this year despite written warnings from 30 Modbury Hospital doctors, who said the changes would “deliver poorer patient and health system outcomes”.