Jenny Cross has expressed her profound grief and anger at the failures of the WA health system. This is on heels of her husband, Kevin Cross’ loss. Yet his harrowing odyssey through the medical establishment tells another story. It calls attention to tragic delays, misdiagnoses and systemic failures that continue to leave families at a loss.
On December 26, 2022, Kevin Cross started to lose a lot of weight very quickly. This distressing collection of warning signs triggered a cascade of medical visits that would eventually steer him toward a diagnosis. Then in mid-March Adam suffered a life-threatening bleed, so Jenny took him to the emergency department at Busselton Hospital.
Over the course of the next six months, Kevin’s health continued to decline. He was in and out of the hospital, quickly bouncing around to five different ER beds in less than a day. Each visit was heartbreaking, as Jenny was subject to long waits. In doing so, she understood that they were waiting ten days for each result.
“Every time we tried to get something done we just couldn’t. Every test you wanted we had to wait 10 days,” – Jenny Cross
After that, Kevin had a CT scan, which came back negative. Yet even then, he discharged home with referrals for further surgery. As his health continued to decline, it became increasingly difficult for Jenny and their family to navigate the healthcare system.
A Heartbreaking Diagnosis
On this date, July 3, after 15 days in the hospital, it was finally determined that Kevin had pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, just two weeks later, on July 18, he passed due to the infection. His death is survived by his wife, three children and eight grandchildren. As with any death, they are all still wrestling with their loss.
Ms. Cross said her husband would do anything he could do come to the aid of someone in need. “Anyone you spoke to would say he was a really nice guy who would do anything to help you if he could,” she remarked, highlighting the personal impact of their ordeal.
The confusion and frustration with Kevin’s care was just a reflection of a larger meltdown in our healthcare system. In June, ambulances were ramped for an incredible 240 hours in the regions. Bunbury Hospital was responsible for an eye-watering 85 percent of that total ramping.
Dr. Hoath, a regional health expert, was alarmed by the state of affairs. Souza emphasized the immediate imperative to address the issues plaguing the healthcare sector. In doing so, we can get the best solutions into practice today.
“What we’re seeing with these ramping numbers, with these transfers between hospitals being delayed, is a system on its knees,” – Dr. Hoath
Calls for Change
Jenny Cross has since taken up the cause to change the system that let her husband down. She says there needs to be greater accountability for the actual human costs of bureaucracy bullshit.
They’re not, they just need to listen and understand it’s real live human beings that they’re working with,” she prodded. Her frustrations went beyond the healthcare system. This mother of five urged the government to focus its money on different priorities.
“And stop wasting so much money on stuff like that racetrack, the rugby and movie sets. Just listen to what people want,” – Jenny Cross
Her pleas are a somber cry heard among so many at home who have experienced the struggles and heartbreaks that have permeated Colorado’s healthcare system.
Dr Hoath said Bunbury Hospital was under extreme pressure at the moment. He elaborated that systemic problems result from years of disinvestment and underfunding.
“It breaks my heart when we hear this happening, particularly in the regions,” – Dr. Hoath
The Human Cost of Health Care Issues
Kevin Cross’s story is a reminder about an urgent crisis. It makes a huge difference to the families we represent right across Western Australia. Our hospitals are under unprecedented pressure, driving many to the breaking point. Consequently, patients end up being treated as mere numbers rather than patients with stories and families and lives outside of the hospital.
“We’re not just statistics, we’re real people with real families and real lives to live,” – Jenny Cross
Awareness of these systemic failures is increasing. Families such as the Cross family are tenaciously committed to sharing their story and effecting change in the healthcare system. They envision a time when delays in receiving treatment and lack of proper resources don’t lead to senseless tragedies.
