I was flown to Perth from South West WA with chest pain. I had previously been flown to this hospital on two other occasions; firstly when I had a heart attack, and the following two times with chest pain. My feeling was that I was considered a malingerer and not wanted in the Cardiac CU. Also felt judged by my size, gender and culture (there is no 'proof' of this or overt behaviour to report). Post angiogram on the second visit I had an internal bleed which occurred after brought back into the ward out of Cath Lab. When I told the nurse that it was very painful, she asked if I would like the radio turned on to "distract me". During the two excruciating hours of waiting for the clamp to be removed from my groin, I don't recall anyone coming to check on me as I would have told them I was in great pain. I just thought this was the ordinary pain of the groin clamp. When they did come to check (Dr and original "radio distraction" nurse), they sent a senior nurse in first and then a whole team of people flying in to see me, put in another line and gave me blood and other stuff and monitored me through the night. There was no explanation or discussion of the event apart from the consultant saying "you had a bleed. That's unfortunate". They did measure my bladder ( I think) for the rest of my stay. No mention of it at discharge even tho it was painful to pee for about a month/six weeks. I understand doctors/nurses are not Gods - and mistakes/errors of judgement etc are made - that's life. But if the negative or discriminatory attitudes/biases/judgement medical staff hold towards patients, affect treatment to the point of ignoring a patient in pain/bleeding internally that is very not ok. I was angry and traumatised after these events, I eventually went to see a psychologist to rant at him for a bit. I also told this story to other medical people (GP, stress test Dr) who encouraged me to write my story and send it to the hospital concerned. I have not done this, but may do after writing in this forum. I am telling this story for 1. my own healing, and 2. in the hope that this feedback will join the pool of feedback and if there are many stories like mine, then doctor/nurse/med staff need to be trained to reflect on their own prejudices/biases and how that impacts on their professional decisions and actions. The patient is so vulnerable and powerless (that's how I felt anyway), and there is no recourse for complaint or discussion while you are so dependent on the people treating you! ! I would also like someone to understand the huge impact this can have on a person's life and engagement with the medical field. I am otherwise so very appreciative to the ED at the South West hospital I flew out of, and the CCU in Perth for saving my life. Thank you for the opportunity to tell my story.
"Treatment at major Perth Hospital"
About: Bunbury Hospital Bunbury Hospital Bunbury 6230 Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Nedlands 6009
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