Whilst the NSW Police and HealthQuest were playing ping pong with my life the third party insurer decided they wanted a piece of the action.
Discussions in January/February 1994 were held between a rehabilitation officer for the third party insurer and myself, regarding the viability of operating a Nursery from our home. I advised if this were even to be considered it would have to be deemed impossible for me to return to my original job in Goulburn.
We would have to have a total rethink as to the type of nursery and council regulations would have to be taken into consideration and adhered to. The requirement to submit a Development Application to operate a nursery at Ourimbah had been waived, as the operation was only a temporary situation, as we would probably cease operations at this address after our move to Goulburn, any variation to this would require submitting a DA for approval.
She suggested how rehabilitation could mean retraining and financial assistance to help something like this happen. I advised I would do whatever it takes if for some reason I couldn't return to driver training.
I was then referred to Commonwealth Rehabilitation Services (CRS) Gosford who conducted assessments but then advised of their inability to assist as I was still employed by the NSW Police. For them to do any more I would have to quit my current employment which I wouldn't, as I was becoming very suspicious as to the reason medical assistance wasn't forthcoming. Logically it was in the insurers best interest to assist my return to full employment, which raised the question why hasn't this been done especially with all the medicals that they were sending me to and me telling them the truth. They had all the information they needed.
Still trying to find some answers I requested the GP refer me to a neurologist to assess the extent of the neurological injuries that exist and whether these were one of the main causes of my ongoing disabilities.
Tests in the thoracic and lumbar areas of my back had suggested abnormal sensations. Whilst on more than one occasion medical/legal doctors, although denying any neurological problems, had spoken about referred pains in my arms and legs.
On attending the specialist's rooms with a referral from the GP, the neurosurgeon after reading the referral filed it in the rubbish bin thus making sure it never got filed and could never reveal its contents to anyone other than the reader.
On 15th March 1994 I saw the GP at his request to discuss the results of this specialists report. I voiced my disapproval at the way this specialist made minimal observations and told me there was nothing he could help me with. I felt he and the GP were just wasting my time for I had requested and outlined my reasons in believing a "neurologist" may be able to assist me.
On 26th July 1994 my concerns about the GP and his handling of this situation was echoed in a conversation I had with my solicitor. I asked if he knew the name of a good back specialist who could properly diagnose and if possible assist me. He gave me the name of a Macquarie Street specialist and advised this was not a medical/legal and that a referral note would be required from my current doctor.
The same date in a phone conversation with the GP, I asked him to write this referral. The GP's annoyance with this request caused this outburst. "You are playing games. I saw your wife the other day; she's going to leave you. Do you know that? You are playing games".
I again asked, "Will you write the referral". He replied "I will write the referral. I will not be involved any further in your case, you are only hurting yourself and you are going to lose. I don't want you suing me." I asked again about the referral and he replied " you can pick it up after 5pm today".
The referral to the specialist was presented to me by the receptionist at the GP's practice, in an envelope which had been damaged and ripped open in a curious manner inviting perusal of it's contents which in part read:
"I am a bit embarrassed at writing this referral to you but I have been requested to do so by the patient's solicitor who made this appointment with you.
He was involved in a motor vehicle accident in August of 1992. I shall enclose copies of letters from neurosurgeon and rehabilitation consultant which I feel summarises the situation".
From the opening statement this GP shows himself to be a liar as he misinterprets my reasons for obtaining the referral.
The neurosurgeon who I should never have been referred to in the first place wrote the most damning report possible. He expressed his views as if this were a medical/legal report of total denial rather than a medical practitioner. (Click to view report)
His representation of the accident would have a reader believing I was the sole occupant driving the vehicle, he then states I had an inpatient rehabilitation program, which is a definite lie. He then denies any injury or symptoms stating he had conducted a full examination, which is another fabrication.
He was in no position to make these statements as his assessment was made without even requesting I remove clothing so he could carry out a full examination. I now had a full understanding what the GP had meant when he said, "you will lose".
The rehabilitation consultant's report sent as part of this referral contained none of the more recent and relevant medical information expressed after the 1993 program, the results of which have already been noted 15th November 1993.
No appointment was made to see this Macquarie Street specialist as the wording of the referral seemed to add credence to my suspicions of the GP manipulating my medical and legal rights for some inexplicable reason.
The GP from Gosford had from the beginning created confusion that neither my employer, the insurer nor I could rely or base any decisions on.
Letters dated 25th May 1993, 12th July 1993 and 5th August 1993 are written proof of this.
I had voiced my resentment and wouldn't attend his practice just to get the required WorkCover medical certificates unless he would give me the proper medical assistance instead of just using me to line his pockets.
When I sought help elsewhere he seemed to block my attempts, his attitude changed and his letters dated 6th April and 26th July 1994 show this.
Five one page documents produced by this same doctor for four different recipients will undoubtedly have you questioning his sanity and ability to practice in the medical profession let alone advising on WorkCover and medical/legal situations. (Click to view GP's letters/referrals) Not one of these five documents had a medical assessment or diagnosis in them, yet this GP had access to all the medical information that had been gained through the Newcastle rehabilitation centre.
Again I tried to change doctors and eventually made contact with a rehabilitation specialist I had seen, at CRS Gosford earlier that year. A consultation on 26th September 1994 led to testing to determine the benefit of pain blocks.
During the early phase of this treatment I passed out. Needing to be revived the procedure was immediately terminated. I saw the doctor again on 18th November 1994 at outpatients in Gosford Hospital to see what more could be done.
The results of these tests had not been forwarded nor could the doctor understand why the procedure had been terminated. I left believing the reasons would be forthcoming, although no further contact was made in relation to this.
The medical situation had come to a stalemate, where I felt if anything medical could have been done it would have or should have already been done. I knew of no more I could do. I had followed my obligations to rehabilitate myself and regain my life, which had become a futile endeavour as the circumstances created by my employer their insurer and an injury allowed me no other option.