"Sub Standard Care and Communication"

Recently in Paraburdoo, an indigenous land owner, myself and an administrative staff presented to the hospital in the early afternoon.

The TO phoned our office expressing they weren’t well and needed a lift to the hospital.

We presented at hospital and they were ushered to the medical unit to wait for the dr and nurse.

While there I asked the TO how they were feeling and if they had any pain, they responded yes chest pains. I asked any other pain they responded yes my right arm is sore and my lower back. I asked them to tell me the pain out of 10, they said 7.

I got worried. The dr walked into the clinic around 10 minutes later, didn’t acknowledge any of us and proceeded to their office. I got up and knocked on their door and they presented with a look of disgust on their face and eating a mueslis bar. Then the nurse arrived. I said Hi to the nurse, I’m here with the patient, the nurse responded yes they have an appointment. I said please wait a minute and told the nurse of the symptoms and pain. The nurse responded they needs an ECG, didn’t the hospital do that? I said no! They responded you need to go back over there.

I’m disgusted with the treatment and behaviour of health professionals where common courtesy and genuine care for people, regardless of race is not afforded. The Drs blatant rudeness and being in a small rural remote town is unacceptable and rude. If I wasn’t an advocate for the TO, what might have happened? Not good enough.