Mother-of-three, Kate Booth waited five years for a doctor weight-loss appointment then was weighed in front of strangers in waiting room

A mother-of-three who waited five years for a weight-loss surgery consultation has been humiliated in public and learnt she could wait another three years to see the surgeon.

After a long struggle with her weight Kate Booth waited more than five years for a public hospital specialist appointment for potential gastric bypass surgery — then was seen by a nurse who weighed her in a crowded waiting room.

She was then told it could be another three years before any potential surgery.

“I was totally humiliated and left in tears,” the mother-of-three recalls. “I was required to stand on a set of scales in a waiting area, in full view of others.

“As someone already struggling with body image and seeking surgery as a last resort, I found this to be incredibly humiliating and dehumanising. It felt like a serious breach of my privacy and dignity.”

Ms Booth, 39, a care worker of Munno Para has “tried everything” from diets and exercise to weight loss medications but nothing worked.

“I tried Wegovy for a while but at $450 a month I just can’t afford it — I’m a single mum, paying rent and it is beyond my income,” she said.

Ms Booth’s GP referred her to the Central Adelaide Local Health Network’s Metabolic and Bariatic Clinic after a sleep specialist’s report recommended gastric bypass surgery and was told to expect about a six month wait.

That was in December 2019.

Kate Booth has waited years to be assessed for possible weight loss surgery. Picture: Mark Brake

In April this year she received a text advised to book an appointment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, which she did immediately and says during this call was told surgery could occur “within the next few months”.

However, the appointment turned out to be with a nurse who weighed her in the waiting room, and told her to see a dietitian and psychologist before she would be seen by a specialist.

“I was told if weight loss surgery was appropriate, all up it would probably be another three years,” she said.

“I now have arthritis in both knees and ankles, ligament damage, sleep apnoea and am at higher risk for diabetes, all made worse by the long delay is getting treatment.

“I am now constantly disheartened, overwhelmed, and mentally drained. Knowing I still have to jump through more hoops despite everything I have already been through has left me feeling completely defeated.”

“I was totally humiliated and left in tears.” Picture Mark Brake

Opposition health spokeswoman Ashton Hurn said: “Waiting this long for care is just not right and the significant delays haven’t only affected Kate’s physical health — they’ve taken a huge toll on her mental wellbeing.

“Understandably, she found being weighed in full view of others deeply humiliating and no one should have to experience such a breach of privacy.”

Ms Booth made a formal complaint to Health Minister Chris Picton, who apologised for the delay and cited CALHN’s response.

This noted “high and growing demand for bariatric services.”

“CALHN agree it is vital for patients to be weighed in a private setting,” it states.

“CALHN are working closely with the outpatient unit staff at the QEH to ensure weight measurements and other observations are conducted with appropriate privacy to respect our patients’ dignity and comfort. CALHN sincerely apologise this was not Ms Booth’s experience.”

Originally published as Mother-of-three, Kate Booth waited five years for a doctor weight-loss appointment then was weighed in front of strangers in waiting room