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Dr in ED

Posted By septemberyx48

"Dr in ED"

About: Kalgoorlie Health Campus / Emergency Department

(as a partner),

My partner came into the emergency dept with stomach pains while being pregnant, the nurses we had were lovely but I felt the doctor was dismissive towards my partner's pain by telling her that her pain must not be as bad as she is making it out to be if she is going to work tomorrow. My partner felt like she had come in for nothing and that she was the problem. In my opinion, this is absolutely ridiculous and horrible behaviour by the doctor 

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Responses

Response from Margaret Smillie, A/District Director, Northern Goldfields, WA Country Health Service last week
Margaret Smillie
A/District Director, Northern Goldfields,
WA Country Health Service

Submitted on 18/08/2026 at 5:55 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 19/08/2026 at 8:35 AM

Dear septemberyx48

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us.

We are sorry to hear that your partner felt dismissed and unsupported during what must have been a very concerning time, particularly while pregnant and experiencing abdominal pain. We appreciate your kind comments about the nursing staff and will ensure this feedback is shared with them.

We are concerned to hear about your interaction with the doctor. Every patient deserves to feel listened to, respected, and taken seriously when discussing their symptoms and concerns. We understand how upsetting it would be to feel that your partner's pain was minimised and that she left feeling as though she was the problem rather than receiving the support and reassurance she needed.

Please be assured that we take feedback such as yours seriously. Your concerns will be shared with the relevant clinical team for review and reflection to help ensure all patients receive compassionate, patient-centred care and communication.

Thank you again for bringing this matter to our attention. We are sorry that your partner's experience did not meet the standard of care and respect that we strive to provide, and we appreciate the opportunity to learn from your feedback.

Kind regards

Margaret Smillie
A/District Director Northern Goldfields

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