Send Immigration BullpooSpin Increase by Liberal morons yet again. 3804

If you are stating that the health system is stuffed you will get no argument from me. I have spent long hours in the ER of Sir Charles Gairdner Hsopital with my Alzheimer's afflicted mother. She showed signs of a mild stroke, and I was unable to reach her GP or locum. Therefore I called the nursing manager at St John of God Subiaco. She confirmed that they had a room available, and the duty GP at the SJOG Clinic could admit her.

Then I called an ambulance. Once my mother was inside I got into the pbuttenger seat and said "St John of God, Subiaco". The driver said "We are going to Charlie's." I explained that all arrangements had been made at SJOGS, and it was not an emergency. He agreed, but explained that he had to take her to an emergency room. By this point we were more than half way to Charlie's, so I gave in.

On arrival the first question was "Public or private?" I asked (playing dumb) what the difference was. Well, as a private patient she had a choice of doctor, which was pretty irrelevant under the cirmstances. Moreover, upon discharge we would get a bill. So I chose public.

Took six and one-half hours to get her into a bed.

She went through the same thing again, after she went into hostel accommodation. She fainted, and the carer called an ambulance. Back to Charlie's.

Then she had a fall and cracked the nub of her left humerus. This time she was taken to Joondalup Health Campus, a weird "public-private" setup.

I now know the magic words: "Patient transfer". If she needs to be hospitalised again, she will go to SJOGS.

So, lots of problems, but I have encountered none caused by a shortage of specialists. A large number of elective operations have been cancelled. The specialists were ready, but the budget was not.

I now know the magic words: "Patient transfer."

Here in the West we also have problems with GPs in the bush, and imports are filling the gap.