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Care Opinion

Bedside manner

Posted By januarytd87

"Bedside manner"

About: Rockingham General Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

I spent 8hrs in Rockingham Emergency, being treated for various abdominal pains. During this time, all the doctors, nurses, radiology and General Surgeon were amazing. Unfortunately, the Specialist that night was another story. As was the Specialist on earlier that day.

After the doctor & General surgeon contacted the Specialist to review me due to various issues, I believe they were hesitant to attend. About an hour or so later, a patient in the cubicle next to me, I believe who's family member worked at Rockingham hospital, came in requiring a Specialist and not much later, the Specialist attended to them. As this patient was in the cubicle next to us, my spouse and I heard everything the Specialist & the patient had said, referring to the patient as their VIP patient and would get them sorted first.

Now, I believe the patient had mentioned they were no longer in much pain, yet there I was being given Oxycodone and fentanyl (earlier) and still crying in pain, yet it seemed this specialist felt their VIP patient in the cubicle next to us was more important. I believe the Specialist had no idea till after that their other patient, being me, was right next door whilst they chit-chatted like they were having afternoon tea with friends and kept telling the patient they were a VIP.

I believe all the Drs, nurses etc in the ED who were looking after me couldn't believe what was done and said. I decided if that's how the Specialist deals with patients, I would rather discharge myself instead of seeing them and seek treatment elsewhere! What a disgrace they are in my opinion, and their bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired.

Feel free to speak with the staff in ED and the General surgeon who saw me that afternoon/evening and attended to me from mid-afternoon to late in the night and I am sure they can give you more information as I believe they were as shocked as I was.

Although we live closer to Rockingham, based on my experience, I will never return there for treatment from this specialist and make sure everyone I know hears about what this specialist did.

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Responses

Response from Kath Smith, Executive Director, Rockingham Peel Group, South Metropolitan Health Service 3 years ago
Kath Smith
Executive Director, Rockingham Peel Group,
South Metropolitan Health Service

Submitted on 14/10/2020 at 1:06 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 1:38 PM

picture of Kath Smith

Dear januarytd87,

Thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback on your recent experience in our Rockingham General Hospital (RGH) Emergency Department (ED). I appreciate your positive feedback regarding the care you received from our ED team and I will ensure that this is relayed to them.

I am, however, concerned that there were aspects of your care which did not reflect the high standard of care that we pride ourselves on at RGH. I am also disappointed to hear of the conversations you overheard and I sincerely apologise for the lack of care and professionalism shown.

I do take the issues you have described very seriously, however, to enable me to investigate further I would encourage you to make contact with the Consumer Liaison Office directly on 9599 4323, and provide the date and time of your presentation. This will allow us to investigate your specific concerns.

Once again I am very sorry for your experience in such a difficult time.

Kind regards,

Kath Smith

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Update posted by januarytd87 (the patient)

Hi Kath,

Thank you for your feedback it is appreciated. I will make contact with the number above next week. Unfortunately, after this incident, I was taken back to Rockingham hospital via ambulance and was admitted there and am still not well and under care by my GP and referred specialists.

Kind regards.

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