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"Treatment because of a false diagnosis"

About: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital / Cardiovascular Medicine Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),


I attended emergency twice in the last 3 months once with an acute neurological event (12 days) and once I was brought in with an existing cardiac condition - had had a cardiac acute event (CPR to resuscitate me 3 times) but was ramped for four hours.

Staff skills

Staff skills


As an inpatient I felt bullied, I was seemingly ignored, I was paralysed and a nurse would not let me wash my hands after defecating and then, I believe threatened a code black if I would get into bed with s**t hands. Until I found out that someone had put this false diagnosis, I felt I was treated like a scumbag and a liar. Then my psychiatrist wrote to the hospital and my inpatient care changed immediately they stopped what I felt was mistreating, discrimination and abuse against me and I had decent care but they refused to correct the record. I understand the false diagnosis is impossible based on available 23 years of medical information.

Staff attitude

Staff attitude

So when I came in having had an acute cardiac event, with a recent stroke admission and 3 times CPR - I believe I was treated like a liar and ramped.  I changed hospitals to another I was immediately admitted and the cardiologist inserted a loop monitor to monitor my heart after extensive investigations. Because I understand they don't believe the false diagnosis. 

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Responses

Response from Peter McEwen, Deputy Nurse Co-director, Surgical Division, SCGOPHCG, North Metropolitan Health Service 2 weeks ago
Peter McEwen
Deputy Nurse Co-director, Surgical Division, SCGOPHCG,
North Metropolitan Health Service
Submitted on 30/06/2026 at 10:17 AM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 1/07/2026 at 10:35 AM


Dear elephantdn66,

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about your experience in the Emergency Department at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

I am sorry to read about the circumstances surrounding your presentation, including your cardiac and neurological concerns, and that you felt ignored and bullied by staff during your visit. I recognise that attending the Emergency Department can be a vulnerable and distressing experience, and every patient should be treated with dignity, compassion, and with clear communication.

While our teams work in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment, this should never come at the expense of respectful engagement or a person feeling heard and taken seriously. Your feedback has been shared with the Emergency Department leadership team for their review and reflection.

If you would like to discuss your experience further or provide additional feedback in confidence, please contact our Consumer Liaison Service on 6457 2867 or via email at CLS@health.wa.gov.au. We would welcome the opportunity to listen and respond.

Kind regards,

Peter McEwen.

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