I recently transported an Indigenous patient with mental health issues to the Emergency Department (ED) at the Hedland Health Campus. Spent around 3 hours to be seen by a doctor who was more interested in discharging the patient instead of finding out what was happening in their mind.
I requested the patient be assessed by the mental health unit. The doctor said we needed to book an appointment with them. This was an emergency as the patient was not mentally sound and desperately seeking for help. The doctor said they themselves were from another country and did not know how the health system in Australia works. Perhaps training should be provided to ED staff so that they understand that admitting you have a mental health issue is not easy and requires attention.
Last week this patient called and, because of their mental health status, was taken to the hospital by ambulance where they were provided some pills to help them. I felt the doctor spent more time doing other things rather than checking what was happening to this patient.
At the end, the doctor prescribed some pills the patient requested but I believe no information was given about dosage.
The whole experience was very upsetting. I'm also a health professional and consider that the way this patient and their health condition was treated was not very professional.
"Treatment of a mental health patient"
About: Hedland Health Campus / Emergency Department Hedland Health Campus Emergency Department South Hedland 6722
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