Surgery cost inquiry leads to heated confrontation with doctor

The Patient Rights Observatory of the Federation of patient associations of Cyprus (OSAK) has recently received complaints regarding various issues related to healthcare services in Cyprus.

One notable case involves an elderly woman who was initially advised against hip surgery due to her age and potential risks. When her family inquired about the cost of the operation, the doctor allegedly responded inappropriately, resulting in the woman being discharged without the surgery.

OSAK President Charalambos Papadopoulos stated that the complaint was received in late August, and it has been submitted to the Ministry of Health for investigation. Papadopoulos emphasized the importance of holding doctors accountable if found responsible for such incidents.

Another concerning complaint received by the Observatory pertains to the negligence of a doctor after surgery, leading to the tragic death of a patient. Allegedly, the doctor did not follow the patient's personal doctor's instructions and discharged the patient prematurely, ultimately causing her death.

Additional grievances documented include personal doctors delegating phone calls to their secretaries, concerns about the handling of personal data, and specialist doctors not adhering to their schedules, resulting in lengthy waiting lists.

It's important to note that not all complaints are forwarded for investigation, as some individuals fear potential repercussions or legal disputes. Nevertheless, these reports are essential for highlighting issues within the healthcare system.

In August, OSAK received 18 complaints, mainly related to difficulties in scheduling appointments with specialist doctors in the Gesy system, medication shortages, limited physiotherapy visits, and challenges faced by dementia patients in accessing state benefits. Complaints about hospital services, both within and outside Gesy, were also noted.

During July, complaints centered around medication shortages, patients' discomfort at hospital pharmacies, limited physiotherapy sessions, and issues with accessing Gesy services, such as home care and rehabilitation. Some individuals reported personal doctors refusing to issue referrals.

In June, OSAK received complaints about the behavior and service quality of doctors and nursing staff, Gesy charges, access to treatments and medicines, and healthcare service accessibility. There were also concerns about the cost of certain drugs within Gesy, charges for specialist doctor visits, and the examination process for incapacity pensions, allowances, and benefits.

Complaints ranged from charges within the Gesy system for various services to access issues with certain specialties and restrictions on hospital visits, both within and outside Gesy.

[This article was translated from its Greek original]