I only operate at major private and public hospitals with comprehensive back up facilities including intensive care (ICU) and cardiology on site back up.
I have been approached on multiple occasions to operate at small hospitals that lack comprehensive back up facilities and to sign a contract with the hospital or health fund. These hospitals make “deals” with health funds and surgeons to offer a no gap service. Patients with major co-morbidities or who need a more prolonged hospital stay or further in-patient rehab are often excluded from this “ no gap” service.
Hip replacement surgery is usually an extremely successful procedure restoring quality of life and relieving pain.
Occasionally the surgery does not go according to plan and urgent back up is required including urgent ICU admission, urgent cardiology or general surgery consultation and often urgent CT or MRI investigations. It is for this reason that I feel major joint replacement should be done in a facility that offers comprehensive back up and that does not “cherry pick” the healthier patients. Patients who attend these smaller facilities are generally the fitter and healthier ones as part of the “no gap deal” following a screening assessment.
I have approached a major health fund to offer the same no gap service to ALL my patients at the major hospitals I work at. This request has been denied as the health fund wants to control the full admission process from hospital to discharge by making deals with small hospitals and surgeons.
Your hip replacement surgery should be performed by well skilled competent surgeons in facilities that provide the surgeon the ability to manage the patient effectively and safely.
Hospitals:
