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Doctor's attitude

Posted By earmarknb99

"Doctor's attitude"

About: Albany Health Campus / Emergency Department

(as a parent/guardian),

I took my toddler to the ED based on the chemist's advise when they heard my child's cough, they thought there might be something with their lungs and airways being swollen and they might need prescribed medicine to treat that, couldn't book appointment with GP so I took my child to the ED.

The jr doctor was very nice, but then she said she needed to consult with a senior doctor, and she went to her boss. They came, they were the senior doctor that day at the Albany health campus. In my opinion they were just rude, I asked if there was something equivalent to a lozenge I could give my toddler and very rudely the senior doctor said there's a chocking hazard and couldn't give my toddler that, wouldn't let me talk to explain what I was asking, and they just said there's not a super medicine I could give my toddler for the symptoms, just panadol and neurofen.

The issue was their tone, very prepotent and demeaning I felt, didn't even check my toddler, the senior doctor did nothing but tell me that I just have to take my toddler home. They've had 1 nappy change all day, has barely eaten anything, but still the doctor did nothing but tell me to take them home. I don't usually use the ED, so I don't know how much I can push back, or if I'll get in trouble, so I just left.

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Responses

Response from WACHS GS 4 weeks ago
WACHS GS

Submitted on 30/09/2024 at 12:25 PM
Published on Care Opinion on 2/10/2024 at 4:11 PM

Dear earmarknb99

Thank you for sharing your story on Care Opinion. We are very sorry for the experience you had during your recent visit to the Albany Health Campus Emergency Department with your toddler. We have shared your story with the ED team as well as the Hospital’s leadership team.

Given the advice from your pharmacist, the urgency of the situation and your inability to book an appointment with your GP, your decision to seek immediate medical attention was entirely justified and we would encourage to do so again if a similar situation arises.

While we are pleased to hear that the junior doctor you initially encountered was kind and attentive, we are very sorry for the interaction you had with the senior doctor. It is concerning to hear that you felt their tone was rude, prepotent, and demeaning, and that they did not adequately address your concerns or examine your child.

Please know that this is not the standard of care we strive to provide. Every patient and their family deserve to be treated with respect and empathy. We apologise for any distress this experience may have caused you and your toddler.

We take feedback like yours very seriously and will use it to improve our services and training. If you have any further details you would like to share or if there is anything we can do to address your concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention.

Drs Richard Leslie and James Teh

AHC Emergency Medicine Co-Leads

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