"A doctor in hospice"

Hello, my parent was a patient in Busselton Hospice at the Busselton Health Campus in Western Australia. I would like to commend many members of the staff who have cared for them (and for me) at this very difficult time. From the Emergency Department to Ward One their care and sensitivity has been exemplary. Special mention for Doctors Frankie, Muhammed and Karla and for nurses Ella and Aimee among many others. They are exceptional people and I am enormously grateful to them all.

Unfortunately, recently my sibling and I had an experience that was completely contrary to all that we have had to date.

I requested a meeting with the doctor (at their convenience) to understand why I couldn't get a clear answer on details what was happening at an external appointment - the time and transport, whether I need to attend if my parent was scheduled to see the oncologist etc. The doctor arrived and, from the first interaction with them, I felt they were rude and defensive to the extent that I said "I can sense your defensiveness and anger and it is not necessary. I am not angry or accusatory, I just want to understand what is happening to my parent". The doctor did not respond to my observation but continued to tell me that my parent has dementia (I believe they absolutely do not) and that they are dying and the doctor will tell them so. I explained that my parent does not have dementia but the oxycodone was making them confused and delirious and the information they were giving my parent was making them very distressed and could they please tell my sibling and I so we could help manage that confusion. It went on but I won't.

In summary, I felt the doctor was rude, dismissive and frankly, unnecessarily cruel. Mid conversation the doctor stood up, I recall saying  thank you for your time and walked out. Two hospice volunteers witnessed the conversation in the room and immediately asked if we were ok because it seemed they were so appalled at the doctor’s behaviour and unprofessionalism. They also pointed out the doctor was discussing private medical matters in a public forum for all to hear.

After this I went in to check on my parent and they held my hand and said "yes that's what I was trying to tell you, the doctor was awful to me and so rude."

My sibling and I were polite and respectful throughout the conversation and we were so disappointed and distressed that this person would have contact with people at the most vulnerable time of their life.

I am sharing this story as it was such a shock when put in the context of our very positive experience of Busselton Hospital.

I would be grateful if you would consider discussing this matter with the doctor concerned.