"Dismissive and dehumanising patient treatment."

Attended eye appointments at Sydney Eye Hospital, which appeared to be under the supervision of a senior clinician.

They would call your name for you to come into their room and that's where I felt the 'pleasantries' ended. They’d have their back turned to me. No acknowledgement of my presence. If I even tried to politely ask a reasonable question about my eye condition, I recall they would respond with annoyance and agitation. On one occasion, they didn't even bother doing the examination with the eye machine which I understand is routine. I believe there were even some registrars who would act in this haughty fashion if I asked a simple question. All very odd. Since when does it seem to be a crime to be informed of my medical update and condition? I believe that's part of the reason patients turn up. It's not about just following instruction but also being updated as to their condition.

I was lucky if my appointment lasted five minutes but as I say, absolutely no acknowledgement of my existence, nor an explanation of my condition during that period.

The result of this is I just feel in the dark all the time about what's going on with my eye condition. I wonder whether any of these specialists have put themselves in the shoes of the patient. No empathy whatsoever from what I have seen.

I feel the senior clinician also comes across elitist as if they’re too good to serve me.

I feel it's always disturbing and disheartening when I see someone in the medical profession behave in such a way and treat people like this. I’d think with their experience and seniority in age, they would have learned a thing or two about the human condition and compassion.

They appear to have amassed a lot of academic credentials.

Their apparent scorn is barely veiled in my opinion.