"When is an emergency an emergency?"

In my opinion the doctor was rude and dismissive. They did not listen to me and barely spoke to my teenage child, who was in clear pain. Eventually offered an escalation to a supervisor, however I believe the supervisor had no intention of resolving anything, and only came in with the agenda of backing their staff member. I was told, “this is an emergency hospital and we only treat emergencies”.  They did not ask one question about the wellbeing or story of my child, who had been directed to the hospital by a GP urgently! 

I felt traumatised by the ordeal, I felt shamed and like I had to beg for someone to take my child’s issue seriously. Why do I have to advocate for my child? Isn’t it the hospitals responsibility to listen and provide care?!!! Is it because my child was a teenager? Because in my opinion there were other children much less sick than my child receiving far better care. 

In this instance we did everything right! We didn’t clog the system, my child suffered for weeks with multiple GP visits before their symptoms escalated and the GP was alarmed enough to refer us to PCH. And yet on arrival the doctor tells me it’s not an emergency and should be dealt with by a GP. Work that one out. 

To end this disgusting story, the end result was that I had to be that parent, and eventually was fobbed off onto another doctor who was fantastic. She listened, asked questions about the rather complex issue, and resolved it! Go figure. Imagine the time and resources saved if the first two had of done the same.