Public patients out of pocket for accepting surgery program

Patients say they are being forced to pay hundreds of dollars for follow-up care after accepting a Queensland government program designed to ease pressure on public waitlists.

Surgery Connect was launched by the Queensland government in 2008 to address the state’s spiralling elective surgery waiting lists by outsourcing patients to the private sector.

The Crisafulli government announced a $49.5 million investment into the program earlier this year, which it said would help up to 5600 patients have elective surgery sooner.

But patients told this masthead they have not received adequate follow-up care through Surgery Connect, and have been left out of pocket for appointments usually covered through the public hospital system.

One patient from south-east Queensland who spoke to this masthead on condition of anonymity because she works for the government said she has been through the Surgery Connect program twice for procedures on her hand, the latest for a joint replacement.

“I went to the [occupational therapist] afterwards, and they said you’ll have your first three follow-up appointments, and then we’ll apply for another three,” she said.

“[But after that] I got told the rules had changed, and they weren’t approving any more.

“For a joint replacement, three is definitely not enough. I’ve now had 12 sessions, and I’m still not rehabbed.”

After finding out her appointments were no longer covered, she asked to be transferred to the public hospital where she was originally booked for surgery, but was told it was not possible.

“I’m a nurse. I need to actually be able to use [my right hand] … now I just have to pay for the appointments,” she said.

“People that are accepting [Surgery Connect] and going into the private system are actually getting worse follow-up care.”

Sunshine Coast woman Lotti had surgery for an ACL injury through Surgery Connect last year. She said she was not given information about follow-up care when she accepted.

“The public system was pretty upfront with wait times … and then out of the blue, I got a call saying I had been flagged for Surgery Connect,” she said.

“I reiterated that … I don’t have money [to go through the private system] but they said it was fully covered by Medicare.”

Lotti said her surgeon recommended physiotherapy, but she was not offered treatment through the private hospital, despite being a public patient.

“His advice was to find a physio close to my house or work,” she said.

“I don’t have private health insurance so it costs me $140 every time I go … I’ve spent more than $1000 on physio.”

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Nick Yim said Surgery Connect could be an excellent option, but they had seen some public patients “left in limbo post-operation”.

He said patients needed appropriate follow-up care and clear communication of the details before surgery.

“Ideally, patients would see the surgeon who performed their surgery for aftercare; however, this is not always possible, particularly if patients have travelled significant distances for their operation,” he said.

A spokesperson for Queensland Health said patients referred to the program received the same level of aftercare as in the public system, and private suppliers were contractually responsible for follow-up care at no cost to patients.

“The program includes a 90-day post-discharge clause to safeguard patients who require ongoing care,” they said.

“After the 90-day period, patients are discharged from the program to their general practitioner (GP) or to the relevant hospital and health service (HHS) depending on the patient’s clinical requirements.”

Opposition health spokesman Mark Bailey said Surgery Connect patients were public patients, “and should receive the same follow-up care they would in the public system, without having to shell out thousands of dollars”.

“Health Minister Tim Nicholls is showing his true colours, just like last time as Campbell Newman’s treasurer, private outsourcing and winding back public healthcare,” he said.

The Crisafulli government said in October it had reduced elective surgery waitlists by 7 per cent since taking office.

Last year’s budget included a total of $1.75 billion for elective surgery over four years, including the investment in Surgery Connect.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.