PATIENTS IN PAIN
Vital health service to suffer cut back
A FRONT-LINE health clinic servicing some our region’s most vulnerable is facing a major shake-up.
Toowoomba Hospital’s rheumatology outpatient service will soon cut back its operations from three days a week to one day, in a move one patient labelled “ridiculous” and “penny pinching”.
Detailing her experience with the clinic to The Chronicle, Robbyn Keeley said she waited in chronic pain for two months to see a specialist before being told a follow-up could be a further three months away.
teacher’s aide suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.
She said there were some days when she struggled to stand, crawling up the walls and using chairs in the classroom to help herself up.
Her diagnosis had been a mental and physical challenge, she said.
For her, having a rheumatology service close to home was vital.
Ms Keeley suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and said it was not a case of asking for a luxury, nor did she want to make a fuss.
What she does believe, however, is standing up for what she thinks is right.
“My specialist said she would like to book me a followup in three months but didn’t think I would get it,” Ms Keeley said.
“I was incredulous. I truly feel that as at least 20 per cent of the Toowoomba population, we need a regular rheumatol- ogist, not just for one day a week.
“I have no idea when my next appointment will be. I don’t know if they will keep it or if it will be six months away.”
In a statement, Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service said it set up the service last year to deal with a backlog of Toowoomba patients forced to Brisbane to see a specialist.
“The service was set up temporarily as a specialist rheumatologist moved to Toowoomba and was able to assist with seeing patients locally rather than being referred to Brisbane,” DDHHS said.
“The rheumatology waiting lists are now manageable and all patients are currently seen within clinically recommended time frames.
“A part-time service is expected to continue for a further 12 months under a temporary arrangement.
“Plans have been developed to ensure patients requiring this service will be accommodated.”