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"Poor staff treatment in ED"

About: Rockingham General Hospital / Emergency Department Rockingham General Hospital / Paediatrics

(as a service user),

My teenage child took an overdose of paracetamol and happens to suffer with anorexia and body dysmorphia. I informed the nurse of this and we got quickly seen. When asked if my child would change into a hospital gown I asked them if they were ok to do this due to their body issues etc. My child said they would rather just stay as they were but remove their undergarment for the ECG as they had a loose-fitting tshirt on. I believe the nurse then rolled their eyes and pulled a face as they left the bay! I asked them not to and the nurse said they didn’t. I then informed them again of my child's anorexia etc and just to be mindful of this fact. The nurse then proceeded to lift up my child's top exposing their stomach etc as I tried to give them some dignity and cover them up. The dr then walked in as this was happening who I believe was also aware of my child's issues without asking if it was ok to do so. I believe not once did they explain what they were doing an ECG for, what the NAC infusion was for, why they have to give it. Nothing, not once!!! No explanations! No 5 moments of hand hygiene either!!! No supportive words for me or my child in what I felt was a very distressing scenario at all. 

My child then asked me if the drs and nurses were aware we could hear their conversations through the curtains, I said clearly not, as I believe one clinician was being very derogatory about another ward and the lack of ability to use PPE effectively. I believe they said, if we run out if PPE it’s that ward's fault as they have no idea what they are doing. The conversations around COVID 19 and what they should or should not be doing didn’t give me much faith that they did know what they were doing! 

To top it all they then asked my child if they wanted some biscuits or ice cream?! Sigh..... 

I felt the paediatric ward were amazing, supportive, reassuring, caring and explained everything clearly. They went out of their way to help with meals my child would eat and performed hand hygiene superbly! What a wonderful service and lovely nurses. 

They also were donning and doffing correctly from what I saw and following the SMHS guidelines. 

Ps: I'm a nurse myself which I believe they were not aware of in ED. 

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Responses

Response from Kath Smith, Executive Director, Rockingham Peel Group, South Metropolitan Health Service 4 years ago
Kath Smith
Executive Director, Rockingham Peel Group,
South Metropolitan Health Service
Submitted on 9/04/2020 at 10:50 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 11:56 AM


picture of Kath Smith

Dear jazzcm48,

Thank you very much for taking the time to share your story, your feedback allows us the opportunity to reflect on what we are doing well and where we can improve.

Firstly, I wanted to apologise for you and your child's experience in ED. Coming into hospital can be an extremely stressful time and I am very sorry to hear that you felt your child was not treated with respect and understanding and that the staff didn’t listen to your concerns or communicate with you both regarding the proposed treatment plan.

I am also disappointed to read that you were able to overhear inappropriate conversations within the department about other clinical areas.

It is however great to hear about your experience in our paediatric ward. It is fantastic news that your child felt well supported and reassured while in their care.

I will pass on your feedback to the relevant clinical areas to share with our staff.

I am sure the staff on the paediatric ward will be delighted to hear that they made a difference to your child during their stay with us.

Best wishes for your child's recovery.

Kath Smith

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