A Eurobodalla patient was sent home from hospital the morning after surgery, before being readmitted a couple of hours later when his condition worsened.
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On the afternoon of February 28, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Chris Phoon performed his last surgery at the South East Regional Hospital on David Stokes, Moruya.
The surgeon has been embroiled in a public stoush with the hospital’s management after it chose not to renew his contract, although steps have been made to offer him his job back on a temporary basis.
Mr Stokes needed a half knee replacement, after having the same operation on his other knee six months ago, but the next morning, when he believes he was still under the effects of the anaesthetic, he was told by staff they wanted him to go home.
His wife Helene collected him at 4pm that afternoon, but an hour later he went pale, clammy and started fainting, which she said was “scary” to watch. They turned around and drove back to the hospital where he was readmitted straight away.
“He was obviously just too ill to be released,” Ms Stokes said.
“But if you’re told by medical staff to go home, you go home.”
Dr Phoon said he attempted to see his patients, including Mr Stokes, in hospital on Wednesday after his contract finished, but was told by management he was not allowed.
He said normally patients are seen by their doctor after an operation and they make the decision when they should go home, but he expected Mr Stokes to be in hospital for at least three days after surgery.
“I’ve never heard about a patient from Bega hospital with a knee replacement being sent home after 24 hours,” Dr Phoon said.
On Friday morning, Mr Stokes was recovering and preparing to be released.
“He’s had three nights in there now, which is what he had six months ago and what should have happened in the first place,” Ms Stokes said.
“I don’t have anything against the staff, they’re lovely. But you can see there’s a gap up top, it’s like it’s not running properly.”
She said her husband would not have been sent home after only one night in the hospital if Dr Phoon had been there the next day.
“He’s a very caring man, he only wants the best for his patients,” Ms Stokes said.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
