"The wellbeing of patients and their loved ones"

My parent is dying from cancer and was recently admitted to St George Public Hospital. On the second day of their stay, they developed a fever and was transferred from level 6 to the acute care wards in level 7. Unfortunately for them and their family, we were told that only 1 designated person (and only 1 person) is allowed to visit during their stay on this level.

I asked the staff if it was possible to allow 1 person at a time to visit but were told that the hospital policy was strictly only 1 person throughout their stay. They explained that this measure was put in place to help protect the vulnerable patients in level 7 from COVID-19.

We chose my other elderly parent to be the designated person. Their English is poor, their right hand is nerve-damaged and the left hand is riddled with rheumatoid arthritis. This means that my dying parent is denied the opportunity to see their children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters.

I called to see how my parent was going but was told that, due to patient confidentiality, they could only say that they were ok. I was told that once a patient's health degenerates further and requires palliative care, the rules are slightly relaxed which I believe would allow more family members to visit.

My parent is rapidly declining which means I'll potentially get to see them when their condition has deteriorated to such a degree I won't be able to exchange any comforting words with them. Such unyielding, inhumane protocols, in my opinion, totally disregard the emotional, psychological and spiritual well-being of both patients as well as their loved ones.

The risk of contracting COVID-19 today is, in my opinion, negligible. I feel the emotional and psychological well-being of all patients and their loved ones on level 7, as a result, are drastically compromised. I feel betrayed and violated by our medical administrative system. In my opinion, this is all wrong!