"Terrible lack of care, compassion & professionalism"

I admitted myself into ED. It was not a choice I made lightly, I had symptoms that scared me & I felt very ill. ED was busy, it took a long time to be admitted but it's okay, I understand it's priority first. Being admitted was not pleasant but I believe I was a compliant, reasonable patient. From the first, with the doctors, I felt I was ignored when I spoke, repeated myself because I believe only a very small amount of what I said was actually listened to. I felt they'd stare right through me then be accusatory that I hadn't mentioned something I had. I felt I was abused 2 days in a row by 1 dr who refused to tell me their name, I felt they shouted at me & behaved with such disgraceful disrespect so much so I filed a feedback form which I believe is this hospital's only choice when complaining. I asked for an advocate & felt I was refused.

Even a week or so later & the feedback form still hasn't been attended to. In my opinion, it shows how little respect they have for it & the patient who felt the need to write it. After complaining, I felt I was treated even worse by staff, doctors & some of the nurses. Having just spoken with the medical supervisor before writing this story, I believe I can see where the awful, unforgiving, uncompassionate, unapologetic attitude may originate from.

Some of the nurses were nice, like the nightshift nurse. The nightshift nursing coordinator, a staff member who discussed a gift from their parent which was lovely, sorry I don't remember their name. Another one who I believe was a new nurse, their compassion unflinching. I felt there were some rude, lazy & careless ones too. I could talk to them the previous day but the next day I felt they'd stare through me as if I didn't exist. I felt I was constantly doing damage control. Overall with the doctors & nurses (except the nice ones) I was constantly apologising & guilted for asking for help including scans, tests, xrays etc. I was refused & told they cost money, then when I offered to pay they contradicted their own retort stating, as I recall, it's not about the money. I still have yet to get to hear any of the results properly & have so far been refused assistance in this. Telling me once, at most that my blood results were unremarkable except for a bit of white cell count the final xray being voiced via a nurse on the phone to me. Nothing really said & I still don't know if there was anything. Considering I had to fight for this test, in my opinion, it would be nice to be given the respect of the results.

In the end, I fled this hospital in tears & fear. For the most part, I believe they ignored my symptoms and, I felt, threw panadol at me like it was the answer to everything. They reduced one antidepressant only to give me another one supposedly to help me sleep.  At the same time telling me they cannot address all your symptoms! Yet these were symptoms I admitted for, still have & worried & ill from. I met a doctor who I believe skimmed my file, saw me for 5mins, told me I had fibromyalgia then I never saw them again! Very disconcerting. I kept asking them to look further into the disease I have already been diagnosed with but I felt they refused based on what I understand they read on Google. In the end, even though I repeatedly told them this wasn't an issue upon arrival, they wrote "fecal impacting" as my discharge diagnosis! A far cry from fibromyalgia & still no answers.

I felt they put me through an absolutely horrific nightmare with their difficult attitude, neglect at times, unprofessionalism, patronising, condescending, rude & degrading behaviour. Since when is "I'm a doctor" without a name a decent greeting or professional? In my opinion, only in the medical profession do they think it is acceptable to whisper about someone in front of them yet refuse them the opportunity to participate or listen - in their own body & well-being.

When I finally called a person I was told was the supervisor, I got no satisfaction & was treated with, oh it's you, the person who wrote that feedback form. In my opinion, as many others, patients have the right to participate in their own care whether that be as a listener or an active participant. I felt no matter what I said, did, how submissive I was, apologetic, understanding,  tolerant, I was always wrong or difficult.

I feel this is not the right way to treat the community. People who are ill to the point of surrender, are afraid & just want to learn & find some answers in hopes of feeling better. I ran crying from this hospital without so much as my test results with follow-up requests not helped. I will drive myself 400+km away to a more professional hospital before I step foot in here & humble myself again to ask for help from these people. Based on my experience, it is obvious they don't care. Which is very unfortunate. The thought of it actually terrifies me. As an added note, the meals were the most appalling, revolting food I've ever had in any hospital. Giving cheese to patients but wondering why they're constipated. Tomato, then confused why so many patients had heartburn. I felt even the sandwiches were atrocious. On one occasion, I became physically sick from the food & apparently I wasn't the only patient with this reaction. In my opinion, everything about this hospital is an ongoing mess of contradiction & lack of care. I believe the other major things missing here, from this hospital & their professionals, are the ability to be humble to listen & learn. In my opinion, learning from their patients is a requirement in order to treat. I feel that acting like they know it all is of no help or assistance to the patient's needs & positive prognosis. I certainly apologised more than enough when I should not have had to do so. I am shocked to learn this is supposed to be a teaching campus. I've never come across an establishment more resistant to learning.