Faron and Stuart at QEII
Patients like Faron Marshall (pictured) are unlocking a new lease on life thanks to QEII’s Regional Telehealth Clinic, where Faron’s life-changing journey to health has come full circle.
Born and raised in Mount Isa, Faron was just 12 years old when he first broke his leg, an injury that would lead to a failed femur repair, and would be followed by a hip injury just a year later.
Determined to live life to the fullest, Faron persevered through the pain for over three decades, while his right hip and leg slowly worsened.
“My left leg was doing 80 per cent of the work for over 35 years. The right leg was more of a crutch,” he explained.
At 47 years old, Faron’s unlucky break caught up with him when his hip pain became unbearable, and a blood clot in his leg turned into a pulmonary embolism, bringing life as he knew it to a halt.
“I had to stop working for a year. It got to a point where even sitting or lying down wasn’t relieving the pain.”
Over 1,800 kilometres away, QEII’s Regional Telehealth Clinic team were about to receive a life-changing referral from the Mount Isa physiotherapy team.
Thanks to the hybrid telehealth service model, Faron’s local Physio was able to virtually connect him with QEII Senior Physio Stuart McCaskill, who first discovered the true extent of Faron’s injuries.
“His CT scan revealed something unusual, so we ordered an X-ray of his leg which confirmed the femur repair had failed,” Stuart explained.
Stuart urgently contacted QEII Director Orthopaedic Surgery Dr Andrew McLean, who joined the telehealth appointment for an urgent review.
“By then he also had a severe osteoarthritis and was in need of an urgent complex total hip replacement. From day one, Dr McLean was involved and working to get Faron to QEII for urgent surgery.”
In an exemplary display of multidisciplinary teamwork and combined expertise, a team of QEII’s best allied health specialists, social workers and orthopaedic surgeons coordinated with the Mount Isa team to get Faron back on his feet, while Faron continued his physio at home.
Within a week, Faron’s pre-op and post-op, clinical appointments and cultural supports had been booked, and he was soon on his way to QEII for surgery.
With one successful operation and a team of happy clinicians behind him, Faron woke up feeling like a new man on 16 October.
“Today I feel fantastic. It’s been a year long process for me, but as soon as I woke up from surgery, I felt great. It was remarkable how little pain I had. This is the best I’ve felt since I was 12, and I’m over the moon,” Faron said.
“The clinical staff have all been fantastic and really professional. The whole process was quick and efficient.”
Beaming with joy, Faron was up and walking within a day, and looks forward to continuing his rehab physiotherapy and enjoying a much improved quality of life at home in Mount Isa.
QEII Deputy Director Physiotherapy, Garry Kirwan says Faron’s journey is a shining example of the far-reaching impact of the clinic’s multidisciplinary team, who have transcended geographical and cultural barriers to make high-quality care accessible and safe for more people across Queensland.
“Faron has been very stoically managing some significant orthopaedic issues that have had a huge impact on his quality of life and his ability to physically function. Being able to help him integrate back into his life post-surgery and getting him back to the things he enjoys most is really rewarding for the whole team,” said Garry.
“This is a good example of how this clinic was intended to assist regional and remote centres. We’ve got the knowledge, skills and resources here in Brisbane to help people,” added Stuart.
“It’s also a great example of how well this team works together. Thanks to the telehealth model, Faron will slot straight back into his physiotherapy back at home, and we’ll stay connected with him to track his progress over time.”
The team behind the NWHHS Hybrid Elective Orthopaedic Model of Care Allied Health team are celebrating two wins for teamwork this month, after being shortlisted in the 2024 National Rural and Remote Health Awards. The awards celebrate professionals and organisations that have significantly contributed to improving rural and remote health across Australia.
Find out more about the Telehealth Regional Clinic here: Orthopaedic Telehealth Clinic connects regional patients to QEII specialists | Metro South Health