"Disgusting service"

My spouse had been vomiting and after several hours they were still going. My spouse had been drinking some alcohol earlier and had a few extra than normal. However, this was not normal for this to happen and they had NOT had a huge excess to warrant the situation.

My spouse has a history of hiatus hernia and the last time this happened the symptoms were exactly the same about 5 years ago. I noticed blood in the vomit and thought as they were in pain and unable to stop bringing up the gas or trying to vomit, they should get seen. They were not intoxicated when we attended ED.

I felt the triage nurse was unbelievably rude. They asked what was wrong and commented, sounds like you've got some gas mate. The nurse then started taking details, name, address etc, and when we told them what had been happening, they wrote down what my spouse had had to drink.

In my opinion, their attitude was so disgusting. I stated that my spouse had not been able to stop the vomiting, which was now nothing left coming up and they tursly stated: what, bringing up the wind? and then I stated there had been blood in the vomit and again in a short and sharp condescending tone they stated: yeah but there's not now is there? Then the nurse literally stated: has anyone told you you shouldn't drink mate? My spouse immediately took the BP cuff and oximeter off and walked out.

This was the most condescending and demoralising experience. My spouse actually said it has made them feel like a complete idiot and not to mention right there at the triage desk in front of other people.

I was angry and told them they were out of line. The nurse started to say something about what my spouse had drunk and I cut them off, telling them they have a history of hiatus hernia and has been fine for 5 years!

The nurse tried to talk over the top of me and I told them they had no right to speak to my spouse like that and that they were rude. I am a nurse myself and I am mortified that someone can attend ED and be completely demoralised and judged like that.

I am wild that this nurse's attitude was so blatant and out of line. My spouse is still having some trouble and I now don't know what to do as, based on that experience, we will not be back there again!