"ED experience"

My parent in law presented to the emergency department after being referred in by the GP for hypertension. Their SBP was around >190 on arrival. My parent in law is not from Australia and English is their second language. They had also been experiencing a cough and chest pain. My parent in law was extremely grateful for the ability and opportunity for such health care however their experience was impacted by a few things. Whilst they had an ECG they were sat upright in a chair and told to remove their bra and clothing. They were not given a sheet or gown and was fully exposed. I felt their culture not being taken into consideration, nor common decency.

Whilst they was in short stay on the PM there was a seemingly extremely rude nurse who I believe was not taking their time to explain things. At one point borderline yelling at my parent in law and stating if they didn’t give them their name the nurse wouldn’t give them the medications (understanding this is the expectation) it was not explained to my parent in law what so ever. Again English is their second language.

When I asked if my parent in law could have something to eat as they usually took their medications with food and had not eaten all day the apparent rude nurse responded abruptly no they will give medication if my parent in law became nauseous and in case the doctor wanted to do more tests. However, the doctor had already attended and this felt like the simple response rather than checking. At no point after this did they check or provide any food.

My family works in healthcare and I do understand the challenges you all face, I also understand the values that many of you aim to act under and that this feedback proves to be of value. Thank you kindly.