"COVID check in"

Hi there.

I am writing to report an incident with a staff member for the check ins. I was visiting POW to drop off a package to my parent who was admitted.

I checked in and proceeded to walk in when the check in staff asked for my covid safe check in, I told them they just saw me check in but that's fine I can show them. As I was loading the app, I recall other members of the public walked in. I asked them why it seemed I was the only one stopped and nobody else. The staff member began to raise their voice and told me that I have no right to question their authority and then, I believe out of angst, demanded I show them my vaccination.

I believe nowhere does it state in the hospital that you must be vaccinated to enter. My question is what authority do staff hold to question me? How they spoke to me at a hospital while I'm trying to drop off essential items for my parent who was admitted a few hours prior, I feel, it is shocking. It is a hospital. My parent was just tested for Covid. Over many years my family and I have come to and from the POW Hospital and this is the first time I felt discriminated against.

The other check in staff calmly asked questions so I moved over to their side. It seemed the initial staff member was still shouting at me. I asked them to stop talking to me as I no longer wished to engage with them. They then told me they also didn't want to speak with me. I then told them why are they still talking to me and to please shut up. The staff then called security because they stated I was being abusive. I repeated to them several times my phone was loading all my documents but I felt they were constantly provoking me and pushing me after I had already proceeded to speak with the other covid check in staff.

At the time, my family member walked past and helped me take the essential items to my parent. The covid check in staff member then told me they were working there and I had no right to abuse them. I replied they are free to call security as I have not threatened nor abused them in any way. I was loading my phone up as it was dead and I had been travelling all day. I believe numerous times I asked them to leave me alone as I was talking with the other co-worker.

I struggle with depression, anxiety and to come to the hospital to visit my parent and be dealt with in such a manner, I feel is absolutely horrific. I believe there was great lack of empathy and kindness. In my opinion, absolutely discriminatory and racist on their part as I recall I was the only one stopped and also the only person of colour.

I hope that POW will deal with this incident. I am a strong, proud person of colour and I wish that no one else will have to experience what I experienced at POW walking in to visit a sick parent of mine.

Please let me know the outcome as this has deeply affected my family and I who are long-time visitors at POW.