Berwick resident Ronald Cutler is expected to undergo heart bypass today (Thursday) after his surgery was delayed several times.By Gina Marich
A BERWICK man who has had his open heart surgery cancelled at least four times is blaming the State Government and hospital management for the delay.
Ronald Cutler, 70, was told in February he needed a heart bypass for a debilitating cardiac condition and was placed on a list for elective surgery.
Mr Cutler’s heart condition has limited his mobility and breathing.
“I can’t do much,” he said, “There’s not much quality of life left.”
However, a series of events, including a doctor taking leave, a gastro outbreak at Monash Medical Centre in Clayton, where the operation was scheduled, and last month’s nurses’ union dispute forced the procedure’s delay, Mr Cutler said.
“It’s gone on and on,” he said, “Just one excuse after another.”
Mr Cutler said on Thursday 8 November he was finally admitted to hospital and prepped for operation only to be told there was no room in intensive care. He was then sent home.
His shocked family contacted the media and the story was aired on Channel Seven on Monday.
The next day, the hospital rescheduled Mr Cutler’s operation for today (Thursday).
“If there is something more urgent I don’t mind waiting, but if management is playing around with people I do mind,” Mr Cutler said.
He was also supportive of nurses in their dispute, he said, and understood the wait.
Opposition spokeswoman for health Helen Shardey blames the State Government.
“It is appalling that Mr Cutler had his operation cancelled,” she said in a statement, blaming bed shortages for the delay. “The Health Minister is gambling with people’s lives by mismanaging Victoria’s health system.”
A spokesman for Health Minister Daniel Andrews said the hold-up had nothing to do with government or hospital management.
“Doctors, not politicians, make decisions (about patients),” he said. “The operation was rescheduled for purely clinical reasons.”
Southern Health, which operates Monash Medical Centre, said the postponement was not due to bed shortages.
Southern Health executive director for the acute sector Siva Sivarajah said a more urgent case forced Mr Cutler’s surgery to be rescheduled.
“The hospital has a duty of care to prioritise and ensure the more critical patient is operated on first,” he said.
