12 kilograms down and constant pain: dad's agonising wait for surgery

A young dad who lost 12 kilograms, endured constant pain and sat through seven hospital visits, was refused appendix surgery on multiple occasions despite the operation being recommended by doctors.

Hunter New England Health has apologised to Nathan Steele for his ordeal waiting for surgery while suffering intense abdominal pain for months. The surgery has now been booked.

The 29-year-old first suffered abdominal pain in August 2025, which was accompanied by diarrhoea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, which he put down to a stomach bug.

But the symptoms returned stronger in November. Mr Steele visited Lake Macquarie Private Hospital, where he said he was recommended surgery to remove his appendix.

His private health insurance did not cover the surgery, so he was referred to Maitland Hospital for an appendectomy assessment.

But multiple trips to Maitland and John Hunter hospitals, some longer than 20 hours, resulted in Mr Steele being sent home in pain and without surgery.

"The pain is there all the time, I've got used to it," Mr Steele said.

"It's usually a five out of 10 then spikes to an eight or a nine.

"I've lost 12 kilos, I don't eat much any more."

Mr Steele said he was informed that because his appendix symptoms were chronic, rather than acute, and his appendix was not inflamed, he was not a suitable candidate for immediate surgery, and was referred to his GP.

This was despite a private surgeon and his GP recommending the surgery, and undergoing tests including a colonoscopy to rule out other problems.

A hospital doctor also said Mr Steele would benefit from appendix removal, and he was eventually placed on a waitlist for surgery.

Mr Steele received the call on April 9 to book his surgery. He received the call on the same day the Newcastle Herald lodged questions with Hunter New England Health about Mr Steele's case and why his surgery requests had been refused.

A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said they acknowledged the concerns raised by Mr Steele and apologise for the distress caused.

"We recognise that communication with Mr Steele and his family should have been better and we are speaking with Mr Steele and his family about his ongoing care, treatment and options for future surgery," the spokesperson said.

"Patients presenting to the Emergency Department are assessed and prioritised for surgery based on their clinical needs.

"Decisions about surgery are made by the treating team and are informed by a patient's symptoms, diagnostic tests and imaging. In some cases, specialist advice is that surgery is not the most appropriate option.

But the situation took an immense toll on Mr Steele an his family, he said. He left work in pain on several occasions, and was given a formal warning from his employer.

He was fearful of his appendix rupturing, as his workplace was 1.5 hours from a hospital.

"It has been so stressful," Mr Steele said.

"I have a one-year-old, a mortgage, and bills. I've done every test under the sun."

The ordeal also made Mr Steele feel distrustful towards the public health system.

"I had seven trips to the hospital," he said. "I've just been fed up and wanting someone to listen.

"It got to the point I said to my partner give me a scalpel I'll take it out myself."

The Hunter New England Health spokesperson said patients who felt their condition deteriorated while awaiting surgery were encouraged to contact their treating doctor, who could review their condition and, if appropriate, upgrade their urgency category.

Tributes & Funerals Notices

Baker, Judith
2026

Published 11 Apr

Barry, John
2026

Published 11 Apr

Beazley, Ian
2026

Published 11 Apr

Bush, Malcolm
2026

Published 11 Apr
More Tributes & Funerals Notices