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"Colleague's emergency presentation"

About: Swan Hill District Hospital / Emergency Department

(as a friend),

I took my colleague to Swan Hill emergency department after they were hunched over in pain from their abdomen, throwing up, shivering and crying in excruciating pain. We were seen straight away and aided by a dr. My colleague had visited the ER multiple times in the last few months with similar symptoms.

The Dr wanted to complete all tests needed yet was treated and spoken to absolutely disgustingly by a second Dr. I felt this second Dr spoke to myself and my colleague with utter rudeness and disrespect making assumptions that my colleague was not being honest and making symptoms up due to their age, and argued with the first Dr in front of us that they were being ridiculous in that my colleague was just ‘constipated’, and relentlessly accused my colleague of changing positions of their pain despite the pain travelling as explained.

The second Dr then halted all medical treatment and told my colleague to take picoprep and pain relief until proven they weren’t constipated in case my colleague was lying despite our many efforts and the first Dr’s medical opinion of us explaining it had nothing to do with that. The second Dr then took blood test and was told by the first Dr they had not come back however the second Dr then told my colleague their blood results were fine.

I felt the second Dr was also extremely unprofessional in that they were yelling at the first Dr in front of everyone who wanted to listen to their patient and take care of their patient by saying, I recall, you want a reason for everything, sometimes there’s no reason, you wouldn’t last one day, I’ve worked in bigger hospitals. You are not going to pass your exams, you're digging your own grave. The second Dr seemed to be absolutely belittling this first Dr in front of everyone. The second Dr also made my colleague repeat everything despite being unwell as they gave my colleague ‘a being honest’ conversation and, I recall they called a nurse by saying because they need someone of the same gender here to help conduct the conversation.

After all this my colleague was sent home but before they left, the first Dr apologised for the second Dr’s behaviour and their lack of authority in that they wished to help my colleague but couldn’t due to the second Dr not allowing it.

To then return after 8 hours later to the ER. To which the second Dr was gone, my colleague was treated by a night Dr. and presented with fever, high heart rate and their blood results were showing inconsistencies, my colleague was diagnosed with speculated sepsis as their parent was handed a sepsis brochure. My colleague was then admitted to a ward with an antibiotic drip. I felt my colleague was not treated with care and respect, as well as the staff bullying that I believe was present.

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Responses

Response from Rex Prabhu, Director of Medical Services, Medical Services, Swan Hill District Health 6 months ago
Rex Prabhu
Director of Medical Services, Medical Services,
Swan Hill District Health
Submitted on 31/10/2023 at 11:10 AM
Published on Care Opinion at 11:11 AM


picture of Rex Prabhu

Dear circinuswt55,

Thank you for sharing this feedback with us. I am really sorry for this experience, especially I am alarmed at the behaviour noted of one of the doctors that is away from our values.

From what you have described, I am appalled at the conduct of the practitioner and I am keen to take immediate investigation and action.

All of this, has definitely had impact on the patient's experience and I would also like to investigate the care of the patient.

I am unfortunately not able to decipher the patient details to begin my investigation. I would be grateful if you can confidentially provide me the date of presentation and patients details to me via email on rprabhu@shdh.org.au or give me a ring on 03 5033 9394.

Cordially Yours,

Rex

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