In what can only be described as an appalling failure of the Australian health system, Adelaide resident Graham Wilson is enduring heart-wrenching uncertainty.

The unfortunate grandfather has spent almost six months anxiously awaiting a specialist's appointment to find out his fate after a positive bowel cancer screening test. This disheartening situation sheds light on the pressing issue of undue delays that Aussie patients are increasingly subjected to.

Before we delve deeper into this distressing narrative, let's look at the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. This initiative, provided to Aussies aged 50 to 74, enables individuals to conduct the screening test from the comfort of their home, with expected results typically delivered within a month. A positive test doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer, but it’s a distinct red flag that necessitates an immediate visit to a doctor for further testing.

Source: Seniors Discount Club

On the 18th of February, Mr Wilson received the worrying notification of a positive test result. Despite having reached out numerous times to the hospital, personal visits, and five official letters from his doctors, Graham was only added to an 'urgent' waiting list in June. Nearly six weeks later, and still, no appointment in sight. It's as Graham puts it, the distressing 'fear of the unknown'.

At 69, this Seaview Downs resident finds himself riddled with anxiety, continuously burdened by the unpredictable consequences of his seemingly ignored health concerns.

'I'm five months down the line, now I'm just wondering, “s a colonoscopy going to be sufficient, or will they need to remove a portion of my bowel?”’ Graham agonisingly reflects. The uncertainty has taken its toll, forcing him to start seeing a psychologist due to his soaring stress levels. He even considered dipping into his savings to seek help from the private medical sector.

’Hopefully, it’s not cancer’, he muses.

Source: Seniors Discount Club

David Speirs, Opposition Leader, empathised with Graham, calling out for the allocation of more resources to aid such patients. His call was echoed by Opposition Health Spokeswoman Ashton Hurn, who emphasised that the main purpose of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program was to facilitate early detection and help combat such health maladies effectively.

Health Minister Chris Picton was deeply concerned about Graham's situation and has requested that the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network look into the case. He acknowledged the long delays inherited from the previous health system and pledged the current administration's commitment to investing over $4 billion into the health network.

Key Takeaways

• Adelaide grandfather Graham Wilson has been waiting nearly six months for a specialist appointment after a positive result from a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program test.
• Despite multiple calls, a personal visit, and solicitation from his doctors, Mr Wilson was only put on an 'urgent' waiting list in June.
• South Australia’s opposition expressed concerns about the significant stress and anxiety caused by such delays, stating that more resources were necessary.
• SA Health Minister Chris Picton has asked the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network to investigate the case, noting that the health system experienced delays, including colonoscopies, due to the previous Liberal government.

We here at the SDC sympathise greatly with Mr Wilson and believe it should be every Australian's right to receive timely and efficient medical care.

This is a stark reminder for us all–health is indeed wealth, never to be taken for granted, always to be cherished. If you haven’t been screened recently, we strongly recommend heading to your GP for a test.

Have you experienced long waiting times similar to Mr Wilson? How has your experience been, and what improvements do you think could be made? Tell us below!

 

[kerrikennel]

I would organise and pay for my own colonoscopy. I wouldn't wait at all.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

If you put Yourself on the PUBLIC wait list what do you expect, if I had a positive result I would pay myself and get it done ASAP, it is about $1,000 for a Colonoscopy. So I'm sorry BUT you are NOT the ONLY one on a PUBLIC wait list. This is the problem everybody thinks they are the only one so why am I waiting so long. Stop grumbling and get it done NOW.

 

[margaretritchie48]

I know some people cannot afford private health insurance. Both my mum and I (nearly 100 and 75) have it.
It is the last thing we would get rid of. Feel sorry for people who cannot afford it. Make people who can either join a health fund or pay big extra tax so that the needy are catered for.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

I know some people cannot afford private health insurance. Both my mum and I (nearly 100 and 75) have it.
It is the last thing we would get rid of. Feel sorry for people who cannot afford it. Make people who can either join a health fund or pay big extra tax so that the needy are catered for.

I have Private Health and am seriously thinking about dropping it, why do you pay when you are out of pocket so much when you need things done case in point I'm having a root canal done bill $4000, I have to pay $2000 WHY I have Health cover, it covers nothing. They should make it compulsory for EVERYBODY to have Health cover and the Premiums would PLUMMIT and it would be a win win BUT that's NEVER going to happen too many greedy people who run these things would not get as much payoffs.

 

[donandviv77]

In what can only be described as an appalling failure of the Australian health system, Adelaide resident Graham Wilson is enduring heart-wrenching uncertainty.

The unfortunate grandfather has spent almost six months anxiously awaiting a specialist's appointment to find out his fate after a positive bowel cancer screening test. This disheartening situation sheds light on the pressing issue of undue delays that Aussie patients are increasingly subjected to.

Before we delve deeper into this distressing narrative, let's look at the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program. This initiative, provided to Aussies aged 50 to 74, enables individuals to conduct the screening test from the comfort of their home, with expected results typically delivered within a month. A positive test doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer, but it’s a distinct red flag that necessitates an immediate visit to a doctor for further testing.

View attachment 26407

Source: Seniors Discount Club

On the 18th of February, Mr Wilson received the worrying notification of a positive test result. Despite having reached out numerous times to the hospital, personal visits, and five official letters from his doctors, Graham was only added to an 'urgent' waiting list in June. Nearly six weeks later, and still, no appointment in sight. It's as Graham puts it, the distressing 'fear of the unknown'.

At 69, this Seaview Downs resident finds himself riddled with anxiety, continuously burdened by the unpredictable consequences of his seemingly ignored health concerns.

'I'm five months down the line, now I'm just wondering, “s a colonoscopy going to be sufficient, or will they need to remove a portion of my bowel?”’ Graham agonisingly reflects. The uncertainty has taken its toll, forcing him to start seeing a psychologist due to his soaring stress levels. He even considered dipping into his savings to seek help from the private medical sector.

’Hopefully, it’s not cancer’, he muses.

View attachment 26408

Source: Seniors Discount Club

David Speirs, Opposition Leader, empathised with Graham, calling out for the allocation of more resources to aid such patients. His call was echoed by Opposition Health Spokeswoman Ashton Hurn, who emphasised that the main purpose of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program was to facilitate early detection and help combat such health maladies effectively.

Health Minister Chris Picton was deeply concerned about Graham's situation and has requested that the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network look into the case. He acknowledged the long delays inherited from the previous health system and pledged the current administration's commitment to investing over $4 billion into the health network.

Key Takeaways

• Adelaide grandfather Graham Wilson has been waiting nearly six months for a specialist appointment after a positive result from a National Bowel Cancer Screening Program test.
• Despite multiple calls, a personal visit, and solicitation from his doctors, Mr Wilson was only put on an 'urgent' waiting list in June.
• South Australia’s opposition expressed concerns about the significant stress and anxiety caused by such delays, stating that more resources were necessary.
• SA Health Minister Chris Picton has asked the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network to investigate the case, noting that the health system experienced delays, including colonoscopies, due to the previous Liberal government.

We here at the SDC sympathise greatly with Mr Wilson and believe it should be every Australian's right to receive timely and efficient medical care.

This is a stark reminder for us all–health is indeed wealth, never to be taken for granted, always to be cherished. If you haven’t been screened recently, we strongly recommend heading to your GP for a test.

Have you experienced long waiting times similar to Mr Wilson? How has your experience been, and what improvements do you think could be made? Tell us below!

While everyone will sympathise with Mr Wilsons situation, we have to acknowledge that there is only a very limited number of qualified specialists available to accept new patients. At 69 one would assume that Mr Wilson could afford private health cover or is a pensioner who would be given priority for treatment and this case highlights the effectiveness of having Private Health Insurance, an insurance scheme much more important than house or car insurance, holidays or socialising.

 

[donandviv77]

I have Private Health and am seriously thinking about dropping it, why do you pay when you are out of pocket so much when you need things done case in point I'm having a root canal done bill $4000, I have to pay $2000 WHY I have Health cover, it covers nothing. They should make it compulsory for EVERYBODY to have Health cover and the Premiums would PLUMMIT and it would be a win win BUT that's NEVER going to happen too many greedy people who run these things would not get as much payoffs.

With all due respect I think you should have read your private health insurance policy more closely as it is very clearly shown that dental cover is very restricted.
Last year unfortunately, my medical and hospital costs exceeded $79,600 of which I only paid $500 and my costs for the previous 3 years were in the same ballpark so please don't drop your private medical insurance unless you are very wealthy or don't mind being placed on a very long waiting list or not having access to your own Doctor. However it is noted that as a public patient you could be treated by some of the best specialists if lucky.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

While everyone will sympathise with Mr Wilsons situation, we have to acknowledge that there is only a very limited number of qualified specialists available to accept new patients. At 69 one would assume that Mr Wilson could afford private health cover or is a pensioner who would be given priority for treatment and this case highlights the effectiveness of having Private Health Insurance, an insurance scheme much more important than house or car insurance, holidays or socialising.

I don't know where you think Pensioners get priority treatment, they don't just go on the list like everyone else.

 

[margaretritchie48]

I have Private Health and am seriously thinking about dropping it, why do you pay when you are out of pocket so much when you need things done case in point I'm having a root canal done bill $4000, I have to pay $2000 WHY I have Health cover, it covers nothing. They should make it compulsory for EVERYBODY to have Health cover and the Premiums would PLUMMIT and it would be a win win BUT that's NEVER going to happen too many greedy people who run these things would not get as much payoffs.

I would have thought that the $2000.00 out of pocket would cover the cost of health care cost. Advantage is you may get it done quicker than going public?

 

[Aussie all the Way]

I would have thought that the $2000.00 out of pocket would cover the cost of health care cost. Advantage is you may get it done quicker than going public?

I have paid $2000 P/Health and I've paid $2000 so my P/Health essentially so far this year has cost $4000. If I didn't have P/Health my dentist would have done it, no waiting, and I would be entitled to a 10% discount being a Senior Card holder. So no difference insurance or not for this.

 

[Aussie all the Way]

With all due respect I think you should have read your private health insurance policy more closely as it is very clearly shown that dental cover is very restricted.
Last year unfortunately, my medical and hospital costs exceeded $79,600 of which I only paid $500 and my costs for the previous 3 years were in the same ballpark so please don't drop your private medical insurance unless you are very wealthy or don't mind being placed on a very long waiting list or not having access to your own Doctor. However it is noted that as a public patient you could be treated by some of the best specialists if lucky.

I am in Silver plus hospital and Silver Vital Extras, I did read everything and I knew I would be out of pocket BUT not that much. It SUCKS no one with private health should have to pay a cent, isn't that why we have it.