"Different treatment for different patients"

Recently, at Fiona Stanley Hospital my partner and I waited over four hours to get tested, which wasn't a problem and the staff were working hard to see everyone and extended opening hours to get everyone tested - which was greatly appreciated.

However, much further ahead in the COVID testing line was an Aboriginal person who had been there for hours before us. Based on my observations, it seemed they were pretty irritated by the time we joined the line but I believe was absolutely compliant with staff directions.

This person went into the COVID test waiting room, roughly 1.5 hours before we were in the room. However, when we got inside they were still there, I believe quite upset with the staff serving all the white people who were in the line after them.

Based on my observations, it appeared their upset was clearly growing and still, no one tested them. They ended up being tested AFTER my partner and I and when they left the clinic, I believe they were so upset, exclaiming they had been there for 8 hours in total and having to watch all the white people get served before them.

My partner and I witnessed this happening and I believe they were absolutely right, they were being treated differently to the white people getting tested.

The health staff were working hard and I believe, were all very tired but it seemed they were ignoring this person and their valid feelings. In my opinion, the treatment of Aboriginal people in institutions should be monitored more carefully, as I believe they are one of the most vulnerable populations and highly likely to be dismissed or treated poorly - leading to even more divisions and problems in the future.

I would really want to see first nation's people prioritised, along with other vulnerable groups, and at the VERY least, be heard and respected and treated like the white patients.

Based on my observations, I would urge staff to be sensitive to people of colour who are likely to already have had negative institutional experiences and attend to people quickly when they are distressed.

I feel very upset at how this person was treated in 2020, I believe they deserve better.