A wave of familiar smiles greeted me as I was wheeled into Ward 4 at Sacred Heart Rehabilitation this evening. It was a welcome sight after a challenging week. I requested a transfer from RPA Hospital, driven by a need for more intensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation following my recent hip replacement.
Having spent four months at Sacred Heart after my amputation over eighteen months ago, I knew they understood my specific medical needs. Returning felt like the right decision, especially since it’s also closer to home. The initial decision to go to RPA was a pragmatic one; ambulance delays meant it was the faster option at the time.
While the medical treatment at RPA was commendable, the post-surgical rehabilitation fell short. I struggled to access timely physiotherapy, a critical component of hip replacement recovery. Despite my persistent, yet respectful, advocacy, the process was frustratingly slow. It took a full week for them to confirm my rehabilitation eligibility and initiate contact with Sacred Heart.
The transfer itself was plagued with delays, with Sacred Heart expecting me at 1 PM and RPA arranging it for 5 PM. It was a series of avoidable complications, and I couldn’t help but consider the difficulties faced by those less able to advocate for themselves.
Tonight, I find myself in a much calmer four-bed ward at Sacred Heart. The atmosphere is noticeably different, with a clear emphasis on supporting my recovery. I’m hopeful this next chapter will be a much more positive experience.
Hoping you get more peaceful nights after last week’s noise torture.
Am currently very proud of your colleagues who are doing amazing work supporting communities in frightening times, regardless of how vulnerable they feel for their own circumstances. What a privilege it is to witness this work.
I have been listening to a lot of the coverage out of Lismore and Brisbane, and it’s amazing stuff. All done with authortity, but genuine concern in the voices coming through my radio/computer.