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"Inappropriate attitude from staff about patients"

About: Joondalup Health Campus / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

I attended ED at JHC at the beginning of January, whilst being triaged a patient who I feel was obviously very distressed and possibly experiencing psychosis, was screaming, the nurse triaging me rolled their eyes and said, "as you can hear, we have some spicy patients today." They chucked to themselves.

I felt this was extremely inappropriate, and then they let out a loud sigh, "I should probably check I'm not needed, as they are losing their ****." They walked off and I heard them and, I believe, other nurses telling the patient to shut up. I feel this is really disgusting behaviour. This patient was to me, clearly in a great deal of distress and the treatment they were experiencing made me feel sick. I believe staff need to show some empathy to these patients! 

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Responses

Response from Dr Kevin Hartley, Director of Medical Services, Joondalup Health Campus 14 months ago
Dr Kevin Hartley
Director of Medical Services,
Joondalup Health Campus
Submitted on 7/02/2023 at 12:17 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 12:30 PM


Dear lacertatn85

Thank you for raising your concerns regarding your recent experience.

I agree that the comments you overheard staff make are inappropriate and lack empathy. This is not the behaviour that I expect from staff, and I am very disappointed.

The Deputy Director of Clinical Services has already spoken to the team about the level of respect every patient should receive that enters the department.

I will approach senior leaders from the Emergency Department to discuss how communication can be improved.

Kind regards

Kevin Hartley

Director of Medical Services

Joondalup Health Campus

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