"Disappointed"

It’s taken 2 years to express my rage, horror and disappointment of my parent's treatment when presenting to Dubbo ED.

My elderly parent was diagnosed with a palliative cancer. A strong, strapping person who walked tall and unaided, climbed ladders, built things and lived independently with their spouse at home. 

On each presentation with pain, fatigue and lethargy they were placed in an armchair in RAFT (Rapid Assessment, Fast Treatment). I believe the armchairs in the RAFT ward are an unacceptable place for patients to wait for admission to a bed. Four armchairs squashed into a confined space. Side by side, diagonal and across from each other in cramped conditions. The chairs were always occupied. Other patients in the chairs, I believe having various symptoms of mental health, pain and diminished cognition. Lots of noise, no privacy and in my opinion, very frustrated people.

My parent spent a total of 38hrs in those chairs over numerous presentations over 5 weeks. Yes, equivalent to a working week. I hope these armchairs have gone. I still imagine taking an axe to them so no one has to endure the treatment my parent did.

Aged care is your business. Treating people with respect and compassion and providing pain relief. Timely referrals.

On my parent's final discharge, they vowed not to go there again and arranged their own admission to another hospital, passing away less than a week later.