Case Study 19: Sydney to Eastbourne (UK)

St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney to Eastbourne England

A 69-year-old female from England was on holiday with her husband travelling to Perth to see her son before embarking on a cruise ship to New Zealand. The client had a history of bipolar affective disorder with 20 admissions to psychiatric units in England.

During her time on the cruise ship the client developed cellulitis of the lower legs and was treated by the ship doctor whom noted her elevated mood and irritability claiming she was the queen. It was suspected that she had ceased taking her routine medications and her behavior continued to manifest with grandiose purchases of jewelry and paintings at auctions during her cruise holiday.

The cruise ship docked in Sydney early April 2013 and she was admitted to St. Vincent Hospital for acute bipolar affective disorder and was treated with drug therapy and 11 rounds of electroconvulsive therapy. Her mood improved towards the end of her 8 weeks acute admission.

Medical Connect successfully repatriated the client home in early June 2013 to the delight of her husband in Eastbourne England.