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"Patient privacy"

About: Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital / Eye Clinic

(as a service user),

I had my first appt at the SCGH Eye Clinic Area 1, I was impressed that it was a slick operation, polite and helpful staff and I was in and out far quicker than the 2-3 hours I was advised.

The clinic was clean, tidy and well set up, however, I was very surprised to see that the medical consulting rooms had no doors, just disposable curtain for visual privacy. The disposable curtains certainly did not allow for audio privacy and I believe it was a breach of every patient's confidentiality, that everyone else in the clinic could hear their consultation.

I appreciate the clinic needs wide door spaces to move some of the clinic equipment or patient trolleys around but in my opinion, it looked to be a very simple and relatively cheap exercise to add a sliding door to the entry of each consulting room and in the door space between each consulting room.

Patients have a right to confidentiality without concern that everyone else, including other patients in very close proximity, can overhear personal details and personal health discussions.

I believe a few simple sliding doors can achieve that. I look forward to seeing if any changes are made before my next clinic appt in the following months. 

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Responses

Response from Theresa Marshall, A/Executive Director, Mental Health, Public Health and Dental Services, North Metropolitan Health Service 3 years ago
Theresa Marshall
A/Executive Director, Mental Health, Public Health and Dental Services,
North Metropolitan Health Service
Submitted on 15/01/2021 at 1:32 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 5:57 PM


Dear QIpassion,

Thank you for your feedback regarding your positive experience when visiting the eye clinic. It is good to hear that you found the staff polite and helpful despite your concerns regarding the lack of doors in the clinic.

I have discussed your concerns with the Nurse Co-Director responsible for Outpatient Services and she has advised that a review of the area has previously been undertaken and that the most viable option for the clinic was to use disposable curtains.

With regards to your concerns regarding audio privacy of information for our patients, your feedback is a timely reminder to us all to endeavour to maintain confidentiality within the limitations of a clinical environment.

Wishing you all the best,

Kind regards

Theresa Marshall

Executive Director

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