"Feeling unheard, disrespected and patronised"

I am writing regarding my experience at Epworth Richmond Emergency. Late last year, I went to Epworth Richmond Emergency dept directly from the airport, after flying home from Christmas holidays overseas where I had experienced severe pain consistent with kidney stones. I have had kidney stones five times in the past.

The doctor at Epworth Richmond sent me to radiology for an ultrasound. I questioned why I was being sent for an ultrasound which I believe is a very unreliable way to diagnose kidney stones. The doctor said to avoid exposure to the radiation of other tests. I said in the five times I had had renal colic before an ultrasound was never used. I also explained my family history of kidney stones being my sibling has had them 5 times, my parent 6 times and my other sibling 13 times. I later asked my family members, and they confirmed that they also had never been diagnosed using ultrasound, as it seems it often doesn't detect stones. Still in extreme pain, I waited for the results of the ultrasound test results anyway. The doctor returned, handed me a sealed envelope and said that I that could leave and should consult my doctor in the next 2 weeks. I was confused and said, so how many kidney stones do I have, how big are they and where are they located. The doctor did not answer and again said that I should talk to my doctor if I had any more pain. I left the dept and spoke to the receptionist outside. They asked if I was okay because I was crying. I said I was not ok because I had not been given any information on the issue I came to the emergency department for, just a sealed envelope for my doctor. The receptionist said that that sounded ridiculous and opened the letter. The letter said the cause of my pain was "not identified. Urinary calculus is suspected noting previous CT KUB findings". I was very upset and wondered what was the point of attending an emergency department with access to CT equipment if they were not going to be used in a case like mine where they were clearly needed. I went home, contacted my GP, who gave me a referral for a CT. I had it the next day at a radiology clinic. It showed 3 kidney stones, including 1 large 8mm stone. "Right PUJ obstructing calculus measuring 8 mm in size with associated moderate right hydronephrosis. Two left upper pole and single left lower pole non-obstructing tiny renal calculi measuring less than 1 mm in size.

I was admitted to a private hospital the next day where I had surgery to try to remove the stone. Due to it's size and location, this was not possible so I had a stent inserted. 2 days later I was admitted to another hospital in Box Hill to have another surgery, this time lithotripsy and stent removal.

I would like to raise a complaint regarding the circumstance above. I believe I was not taken seriously by the doctor involved. I don't know why this is. I hope that it is not because of my gender. My two siblings and my parent have collectively had kidney stones 24 times and have never been treated this way.

The doctor also questioned the medication I take for Restless Leg Syndrome. The doctor asked me standard questions about my medical history and the prescription medication I take and I told the doctor I take 4.5mg of Sifrol (pramipexole) per day for sever RLS. In a patronising tone, I recall they said that they doubt that, they thought I you must be mistaken about the dose. I said, I'm sure it's correct, I have been seeing a neurologist at another hospital, for more than 25 years. I said you can look at the box I have in my bag. The doctor was hesitant to look in my bag, but I couldn't reach it as I had a canula in my arm. I said, please just open the zip, as the box is near the top. The doctor did this and said hmm as if they were still questioning me, and walked away. The doctor returned, put the Sifrol box back and said nothing.

I feel the doctor did not take me seriously about my RLS medication, or about the renal colic.

Following my visit to Epworth Eastern I had to pay another $450 to go to a private hospital, and more money to see my doctor to get a CT referral, the CT itself etc. Not only did it cost me a lot of money, it was also very stressful and worrying. It was also obviously damaging to my surgeries in 3 days. This could have and should have been fixed by diagnosing the stones at Epworth Richmond. I am particularly upset about being discharged from an emergency department I attended with clear kidney stone symptoms. I had extensive personal experience of the indicators but was discharged having received no scan to assess this and no information about even the results of this insufficient scan. I felt unheard, disrespected and patronised, being sent home with only a sealed letter for my doctor.