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"Language barrier"

About: Armadale Hospital / Medical Admissions Unit

(as a parent/guardian),

I recently received a called from Armadale Hospital who want to speak to one of the family members of a patient who doesn’t speak English. I rushed to the Hospital as they want more information about the patient who doesn’t speak English.

As soon as I got to the hospital I sit and wait for them. 20 minutes later a staff member from Reception came and got me. Instead of introducing themselves, they  asked me how long have my parent has lived in Australia and why don’t they speak English - maybe at least they should know some for English for themselves.

After I heard those words come from them, it broke my heart. It took a few seconds for me to reply to them- how can you expect a person who comes from a third-world country at a old age to learn how to read and write English when they had have difficult situation in their childhood.

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Responses

Response from Diane Barr, Executive Director, Armadale Kalamunda Group 4 years ago
Diane Barr
Executive Director,
Armadale Kalamunda Group
Submitted on 5/07/2019 at 5:39 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 8/07/2019 at 8:53 AM


picture of Diane Barr

Dear warmhf63,

Your story certainly is disappointing to hear as these comments are not at all appropriate to make, especially to a family member who has a loved one in hospital.

The experience you have described certainly does not align with our hospital values with regards to respecting patient’s cultural, linguistic and religious requirements. The shared experiences of our patients, their families and/or carers are very powerful and I believe your story will act as a significant reminder to staff of how important it is to consider and be respectful of our patients and their family’s culture.

I appreciate you taking the time to raise this very important matter with us.

Kind regards

Di Barr

Executive Director

Armadale Kalamunda Group

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