"Immunotherapy Treatment"

This is a very long story but it will be condensed for this forum. Our adult child has Stage IV Melanoma. They have been battling this cancer for 7 years on and off. Over the years, we have had to travel to Perth for PET scans and oncologist reviews, and inpatient episodes.

The amount of time/money spent travelling is staggering! PATS does not pay for everything. The melanoma is back in their lungs and bowel and we begin another round of immunotherapy. Life is complicated and unfortunately, we were unable to attend the booked oncologist review before immunotherapy. Apparently, this is standard practice/policy for this treatment. I left 2 voice messages as I was unable to get through the day before to let them know we couldn't make the 3-hour drive one way.

We arrived early the day after and an unprofessional, rude staff member, I believe with absolutely no empathy for my child or my family, began a judge and jury like rant and felt they scolded myself for not coming to the booked oncologist appointment. The interrogation of why, how and where continued in front of other patients and other staff members. I felt the staff member would not listen, they did not care, and in my opinion, the theatrical performance was disgusting.

It seemed this behaviour continued when the cross-examination in the waiting area moved to the treatment room. I felt we were then in trouble again as the proposed next date they wanted to book, conflicted with my child's FIFO roster. It was very inconvenient that my child worked apparently.

My child is an adult, they are not on a pension and is not laying on the lounge. This staff member, I felt, had no empathy and was one of the rudest staff members we have ever encountered over the last 7 years. In my opinion, a staff member who has no empathy or compassion for people who are fighting for their lives should not be working in a cancer centre.