PVHS, where George worked for 26 years, just received the 2008 Malcolm Baldridge Award for Excellence, so we are used to superior health care. We knew things would be different here with socialized medicine and expected more basic care at the public hospitals.
However, we were most surprised to hear that the private hospitals are also run quite differently. Shirley Kay, one of my American friends, told me a story about her experience with the local private hospital that I found incredible. Hopefully, you'll find it interesting too.
Shirley Kay's 18-year-old son hurt his ankle jumping off a pier at the beach. (I can certainly relate to that!) He has a high pain tolerance and refused to go to the hospital until much later after his mother insisted. They had the usual emergency room wait that happens anywhere but were shocked to hear that there was no x-ray technician on duty. After being advised that one could be called in for a $70 fee, Shirley Kay agreed so they waited another hour only to be told that the technician had changed her mind and wanted to stay at her Christmas party! They were given the choice of going to another hospital or returning in the morning.
Shirley Kay was skeptical when the x-ray technician looked the same age as her son and even more worried when the girl started flirting with him. "Oh, were you the one who came in last night? I'm so glad my friend didn't want to leave her party. You're cute!"
However the young technician did seem proficient so Shirley Kay left her son to search for the doctor. She was unable to locate the doctor but was informed by her son that he needed surgery and a pin. Shirley Kay surmised the doctor had visited and couldn't believe it when her son said, "No, the x-ray technician told me." That would never fly at home - she'd be so fired!
The ER doctor was very nice and efficient and gave Shirley Kay her mobile number along with the referral number for the orthopaedic specialist. Shirley Kay called the specialist's office Monday morning and explained the whole situation to the receptionist. Imagine her exasperation when the receptionist told her their first available appointment is the end of February. Shirley Kay replied, "Haven't you been listening to me? He's had a serious break and can't walk. May I please speak with the doctor?"
"He's in the theatre right now."
"The doctor's at the movies?!" Again, we speak the same language, sort of!
Anyway, it got all sorted out with the ER doc finding another specialist and the surgery already completed. It sure makes me happy I didn't break anything when I fell. Something else for which to be profoundly grateful!
George was not quite as amazed at this story because the Fremantle Hospital has 400 beds and there are no pharmacists, phlobotomists or x-ray technicians on duty nights and weekends.
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