Soccer player with broken leg endures 70km car trip between hospitals
When Harry Jones got his foot caught in a soccer net and broke both bones in his lower leg, his family says he should have been taken directly to a metropolitan hospital. Instead, he spent hours at a regional hospital then endured a painful journey by private car.
Harry Jones, the captain of the Southern Breakers Football Club, suffered a broken leg during a recent match. His family is now questioning ambulance transfer policies after he had to endure a 70km car journey between hospitals. SA Ambulance officials claim the decision to take him to the Victor Harbor hospital was to ensure he received prompt medical care and quick access to pain relief.
However, his family and medical team believe the closest hospital, South Coast District Hospital, lacked the necessary orthopaedic facilities. Jones' fiancee, Victoria Briggs, and his trainer, Peta Haldane, decided to take Jones in their car to the metropolitan Flinders Medical Centre, bypassing the transfer to Victor Harbor. Despite their efforts, he still had to wait another day for surgery.
The family urges the health minister to review the situation and consider the potential for similar delays for other patients needing orthopaedic treatment. Club trainer Haldane, an experienced nurse, expressed concern about the health minister considering Mr. Jones's experience and the delays and pain he endured.
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