Brain found, specialist required

A month ago I had a CAT scan on my head; I was a little nervous - wasn't sure they'd find anything in there. You can see that post here if you're keen. The results were due a few weeks later and last week was my visit to the doctor to get the results and learn what the next stages may be.

Good news, they found a brain, a sort of smallish one that quite resembled a walnut; I was ok with that, rather pleased, because something is better than nothing. The bad news was that in addition to the walnut-sized brain they found some other things that shouldn't be there and which I'm less happy about. I've been referred to a specialist who will do some more things, scans I guess, and that means more time and waiting, and it's that part I don't do so well.

I tried to make the appointment the other day but the specialist's office isn't returning my messages. Closed up for the Easter period or they just don't fucken like me, I don't know, but I'm annoyed about it.

So many people talk about how bad the health system is here in Australia; sure, there's good stories but there seems to be more bad ones. We're coming into a federal election shortly, (beginning of May), and one of the big issues is the health system which both (leading) parties have made a focus because both know it's completely broken, even though the sitting government probably wouldn't admit it because it'll make their term look like a failure.

We have so many issues like ramping (ambulances lined up at hospitals all day waiting to hand off their patients), lack of hospital beds on wards and in emergency departments, country and rural medical services unable to open due to lack of staff, general lack of nursing and support staff (low wages contributes to this issue), ageing population and increase in chronic issues, and other such problems that have put the health system under a great deal of pressure...and which reduce the level of care a person can expect.

It's not as bad as some countries of course and far better than many, but that's no consolation to those needing tests, results, operations, hospital stays and treatments.

Anyway, I'm not sure how long I'll have to wait for the specialist to call me back and how much longer I'll wait for the appointment itself but I've been told it could be several months; hmm ok, I'm sure those things in my head will just sit there and do nothing until then right?

Have you ever had to wait for medical treatment or not get it at all? Have you ever had a really great experience with the healthcare system in your location? Tell me about it in the comments if you'd like.