Ex-patient of Dr Daryl Stephens claims Mackay Hospital neglected him

A cancer patient who was due to have life-saving surgery claims he was abandoned by the Mackay Base Hospital, leaving him alone with an “impending death sentence”.

A stage three cancer patient who was due to have life-saving surgery says he was abandoned by the Mackay Base Hospital the day of his emergency consultation appointment.

Robert “Gus” Daffy, 57, a former patient of embattled urologist Dr Daryl Stephens, was diagnosed with aggressive stage three prostate cancer in July.

After taking all the relevant tests and scans, Mr Daffy was booked in for an urgent surgery consultation with Dr Stephens at the Mackay Hospital on September 13 however, when the day came, hospital staff rang to tell him the appointment had been cancelled and Dr Stephens had been suspended.

Mr Daffy said no alternative appointment was arranged and despite his numerous attempts to contact the hospital, communication was completely cut off, leaving him alone with an “impending death sentence”.

Robert (Gus) Daffy said he felt abandoned by the hospital.

“They emphasised the urgency of it all (the surgery) and then to turn around and have no contact from anyone, it’s very daunting,” Mr Daffy said.

“To hear the news he (Dr Stephens) had been suspended, it came as a surprise to me, he came across as a competent, empathetic surgeon.
“I’m very disappointed in the hospital, just the lack of contact. I even tried to ring outpatients one day this week and there was no answer, at 4.15pm in the afternoon.

“I just hope it (the cancer) doesn’t spread in the meantime because I have a 9/10 Gleason score, which is pretty red-hot apparently, ten’s the worst.”

Qld Health Minster Yvette D'Ath at the Mackay Base Hospital.

A desperate Mr Daffy reached out to Health Minister Yvette D’Ath, asking for help to arrange another surgeon, even offering to travel to another hospital if needed.

“I asked her if it was possible to get a another doctor to do it, which I was happy to travel for,” he said.

“There’s nothing that will get you off your bum more than an impending death sentence.”

It’s been 10 days and Mr Daffy is yet to receive a response from Ms D’Ath’s office.

Fortunately, the Mackay Base Hospital contacted him on Wednesday, offering another surgery consultation appointment next Sunday.

“I could have kissed the phone,” Mr Daffy said.

“I have an appointment with a visiting locum urologist … it remains to be seen what happens on Sunday, I suppose he’ll have the files and confirm everything, maybe set a date and go through with the operation but we’ll be there regardless.”

Despite his experience and the recent harrowing report that found multiple cases of inadequate care at the Mackay Base Hospital, Mr Daffy said he has not been deterred from having surgery there.

“I’m not concerned about it,” he said.

“I know things happen and that, but I’ll just be grateful to get this bloody thing out and get on with life.”