Father left to suffer in agony

Fortunately, private compassion took over from uncaring public medicine bureaucrats

A 37-year-old father of three could lose one of his legs because the Health Department took more than three months to organise treatment for him in a NSW hospital. Mark Mathews, who is in agony from a circulation disease that has caused gaping ulcers on his legs, eventually accepted a lifeline thrown to him by a Queensland hospital that agreed to treat him first and chase payment later. Mr Mathews, of Yamba, said he waited in vain to hear back from NSW Health after his doctors sought treatment for his condition in a hyperbaric chamber at Sydney's Prince of Wales Hospital. "But I heard nothing despite ringing several times. Now I'm afraid the delay in treatment may cost me my leg," he said.

Mr Mathews' plight was eased when he rang the Centre for Hyperbaric Medicine at Brisbane's Wesley Hospital. "They were shocked and said, 'Just get up here as quickly as possible.' ... "After all I'd been through, I couldn't believe it. They've been fantastic." Centre manager David King said he had decided to treat Mr Mathews first and "ask questions later".

Liberal MP for Clarence Steve Cansdell said he was appalled at the treatment of Mr Mathews. "It's a bureaucratic bungle. They've treated him like he was applying for a licence," Mr Cansdell said. "This is one of the worst cases that I've come across."

Mr Mathews suffers from Buerger's disease, a severe and painful form of thrombosis that affects the hands and legs. When at home, he cannot sleep lying down and struggles to walk. He spends his days and nights sitting and sleeping upright in a chair.

The Northern Rivers Area Health Service said there had been a communication breakdown when Mr Mathews switched doctors. A spokesman said the cost of his treatment in Queensland would be met by Northern Rivers Area Health.

Source

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For greatest efficiency, lowest cost and maximum choice, ALL hospitals and health insurance schemes should be privately owned and run -- with government-paid vouchers for the very poor and minimal regulation.

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