Text size

Theme

Language

"I felt senior staff member was awful"

About: Royal Perth Hospital / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

My meeting with a senior staff member at the MHEC (mental health emergency care) ward at RPH was absolutely horrible. 

In attempting to explain my (severe) mental health issues, I felt absolutely stifled and unheard. Even railroaded and attempting to coax me into giving up more information than I was comfortable with in what I felt was a very rude and invasive manner, and at points it seemed to me as though they were trying to get me to admit to symptoms that I did not have.

Couple this with no apparent attempt to build rapport or gently ease me into it, it seems they are unaware that they are dealing with the most distressed people in the city, and in my opinion, possesses no social tact whatsoever. It really felt like they have little knowledge on how to treat distressed persons with mental health issues. I believe someone like that should not be in the position they are in. 

Absolutely no basic manners, indeed they actually refused to introduce themselves to my parent because "you would forget it anyway", I quote verbatim. How so very disrespectful and unprofessional. I felt they were a cold, uncaring, black-and-white diagnostician which is not at all what I needed. It felt like I was nothing but an object of examination, being interrogated by a robot in a room full of silent observers (the nurse, social worker and junior doctor present said basically nothing the whole time. I suspect they know the staff member's behaviour, dislike it, and just tolerate and let them do their thing to avoid any confrontation in the workplace).

When I mentioned I had experienced severe traumatic events and made it clear I was not comfortable expressing them in detail to a room full of strangers who are evaluating and diagnosing me, I felt they personally attacked me resulting in me antagonizing them back, to which they responded that I'm you're very defensive. Yes, I am. It is because I don't like you. 

Multiple times I felt they made inaccurate assumptions and I had to correct them, and when I did they wouldn't believe me and I had to reiterate multiple times. I even had to state very clearly: "I am telling you the truth. I feel like you don't believe me." Only then did they stop asking me the same questions over and over again. It felt like they were trying to get me to admit to something that I wasn't doing, like a corrupt policeman. It was disgusting. 

In my opinion, their attitude was frankly condescending, know-it-all, dismissive and utterly impersonal. Their views on my experience seemed to be based entirely off of textbook logic resulting in a narrow view of me as a person and hence my lack of ability to communicate, despite my absolute willingness. In fact, I felt distant and judged, so much so that I felt uncomfortable giving them even the most basic information about myself which I am perfectly fine doing so with most anyone I meet. 

Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Ben Noteboom, Executive Director, Royal Perth Bentley Group 11 months ago
Ben Noteboom
Executive Director,
Royal Perth Bentley Group
Submitted on 29/07/2024 at 6:04 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia on 30/07/2024 at 9:11 AM


picture of Ben Noteboom

Dear RPHMHECreport

I am very sorry to read about your experience and I apologise for the distress the interactions with our staff caused you.

Whilst I do not know your individual circumstances or when you presented to the Mental Health Emergency Centre (MHEC), I am concerned about the care you received. I would encourage you to contact the Patient Experience Team on 9224 1637 or email RPBG.Feedback@health.wa.gov.au so the concerns you raised can be investigated and addressed appropriately.

Meanwhile should you require assistance, you can contact the Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL) on 1300 555 788. This is a 24 hour telephone service for consumers experiencing a mental health crisis. The trained mental health clinician will be able to connect you with appropriate support services.

I hope you are feeling better.

Kind Regards,

Ben Noteboom

Executive Director

Royal Perth Bentley Group

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k