OPH patient highlights meaning behind Patient Experience Week

In celebration of Patient Experience Week, which runs from 28 April to 2 May, Osborne Park Hospital (OPH) Amputee Service patient Tom shared his story on how our staff helped him both physically and mentally in his recovery.

Tom’s medically journey began in 2018 after he scratched his two big toes while swimming with his grandkids at a local swimming centre. He is now a bilateral above knee amputee.

Tom was found to have Hereditary Vascular Disease, complicated by Type 2 diabetes and psoriatic arthritis. 

Four days after that initial incident, Tom was on antibiotics and eight weeks later his right leg was removed as a fourth amputation. Little did Tom know that this was just the beginning of a five-year health journey that would challenge him physically and mentally.

“The goal was to prepare me for a world of prosthetic legs," he said. 

His initial stay focussed on stabilising his condition.

Tom said the team initially gave him ‘recovery purpose’; as he still struggled mentally to comprehend the enormity of the changes in his life. 

“The care I have received has been wonderful,” Tom said.  

"The initial training and care I was given at OPH gave me mental strength to set goals and achieve good outcomes. They lifted my spirits and played a huge part in my continued recovery."

“The professionalism, friendship and humour of staff has been an unbelievable support to me; and are they all key ingredients in a treatment program that simply works. 

“The staff don’t give up, they support, they cajole, they talk as caring people do; and they listen. “They are making my life better; they are fantastic people.”

Tom now gives voluntary presentations in the community, focussing on his mental and physical recovery. His key message is to not ignore health warning signs.

Patient Experience Week provides an opportunity to celebrate the essential role of our health care staff and volunteers and the positive impact they have on the patient experience.