Health

There just aren't appropriate words to describe our so called health system, in the *Boom* state. Very little time goes by without hearing more horror stories. Just what is the health minister Mr McGinty doing if anything, to rectify these on going problems?

Thursday with a letter from his GP stating that Mr Webster an 80 year old veteran needed urgent attention , SCGH obliged by having him wait over 17 hours for a bed. Mr Webster has since received an apology, but the heath department and government need to take a long hard look at themselves because this isn't a one off incident. The staff can only do so much, how long has Mr McGinty been promising more doctors and nurses?

It was reported that more than 22 patients a day including urgent cases such as those with suspected heart attacks or pneumonia, have been leaving the emergency departments of Perth's five big hospitals without being treated.

Figures have shown in the past 12 months 8,134 patients attended the ED's but were not seen by a doctor. These figures were obtained by the West Australian through the FOI, based on the
12 months till the end of April '08.

Last Thursday a young man who through a workplace accident, had to wait with severed parts of his fingers on ice for 28 hours in the emergency department at RPH. Just what chance does he have, of his fingers being viable to be re-attached. When finally getting a ward bed and prepared for surgery, it was delayed. Followed by being transferred to The Mount hospital for surgery at approximately midday yesterday (Saturday), the trauma this young 19 year old has suffered is horrific. It's time someone was held accountable Mr Carpenter this has been going on for far too long.

It's not bigger and better that the people require with hospitals, all we want is a system that works, with updated equipment and staff. The PET scanner that has retired, Mr Ripper should have done his budget and been aware that it was going to be up for replacement. People with cancer can't afford to be flying east for cancer scans, they have enough bills just trying to exist. I would like to see how Mr Ripper does the state budget, if this is an example were in deep trouble what else has he forgotten?

UPDATE: The young man that had finger tips severed in a work place accident appeared on the news tonight to tell his side of the story. The people of WA should be even more disgusted in our health system if that's possible. He was transferred from Pinjarra hospital to RPH, after his extended wait he was taken to theatre 3 times only to be returned to his room. Someone had already decided they would not attempt to re attach his finger tips.

When he was finally transferred to the Mount hospital, it was because his employer decided to pay for a private hospital to treat his employee. This is a disgusting state of affairs, just when will this government attempt to fix the health system, NO more excuses. Where are the peoples' taxes going or the $150 million that came from the federal government.? No problems you say Mr McGinty, what would you call the recent events? Just when do you become accountably to patients of this state?