THE lead story in the Advocate of Friday last, "Runaround: Woman sent to Orange twice in four days to treat broken wrist", presents a sad tale.
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Everyone would rightly feel for the woman concerned. The whole disturbing episode as presented reminds us all of the need to press governments to provide more and better medical facilities, especially in rural communities.
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However, there are also good stories to be told, as I well know.
Earlier this year I presented to the Emergency Department of Bathurst Hospital, knowing that something was wrong.
Unbeknown to me, I was suffering with a bleed on the brain, a condition that could be fatal.
I remember little after arriving at the hospital, but the staff immediately recognised that I was needing urgent attention.
My condition was diagnosed, contact was made with specialists at Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital in Sydney and that night I was flown to Sydney for treatment.
My first clear recognition of anything after arriving at Bathurst Hospital was when I woke in the recovery ward at RPA after having had lifesaving surgery.
A little over three weeks later, signs of another bleed showed.
This time, in a better informed situation, the same effective practices were put in place.
I was again flown to Sydney for two more lots of surgery in a week and then returned to Bathurst Hospital for monitoring and ultimate discharge.
At home, there was a further follow-up with medical staff from the hospital visiting daily until no more treatment was necessary.
Good stories deserve to be told.