Care Opinion

Text size

Theme

Language

Videos in BSL or ISL
Help with language translation
Help with reading or listening

Made them feel like no one was going to believe them

Posted By Pathd73

"Made them feel like no one was going to believe them"

About: Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) / Emergency Department

(as the patient),

GP referred patient to Royal Cornwall Hospital as they kept being sick.

Patient was in the A and E department where they were questioned by a doctor.

Patient disclosed they were a recovering alcoholic.

Doctor then asked patient if they were sure they hadn't been drinking, as people don't often tell them when they have.

Patient stated they did used to drink in the past.

Doctor asked if anyone had checked the patient's drinks (referring to a water bottle and kombucha).

Doctor then smelled the bottle and when the patient stated the doctor could check the other they just looked at them and smiled.

It made them feel like no - one was going to believe them. This was even more insulting due to the fact they had been open about their issues. 

They felt discriminated against and stigmatised.

The hospital nurse then assessed patient to see if they had alcohol withdrawals. 

The doctor had advised they take withdrawal medications for alcohol and Patient refused to take them and so doctor stated, if they have a fit or seizure, on their head be it.

  

More about:
Do you have a similar story to tell? Tell your story & make a difference ››

Responses

Response from Megan Nicholls, Patient Engagement Manager, Patient and Family Experience Team, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust 6 months ago
Megan Nicholls
Patient Engagement Manager, Patient and Family Experience Team,
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Submitted on 31/10/2024 at 11:28
Published on Care Opinion at 11:28

Dear Pathd73

Thank you for taking the time to share this patients story with us. I'm sorry for the delay in getting back to you on here.

I was saddened to read of this patients negative experience. I am sorry that the actions of the doctor made the patient feel like no one was going to believe them, resulting in them feeling discriminated against and stigmatised.

If you, or the patient, would like to raise this negative experience as a concern or complaint, please do contact the Patient Experience Team. They can be contacted over email rcht.patientexperience@nhs.net, or, if you'd rather speak directly to a Complaints Officer, please call 01872 252 793. The phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 10 am - 4 pm. There is an answerphone facility in operation outside of these times.

Thank you, again, for providing this feedback, I am sorry it was such a negative experience.

Best wishes

Megan

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Response from Robyn Jones, Sister, Emergency Department, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust 6 months ago
Robyn Jones
Sister, Emergency Department,
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

I work in the Emergency Department as a Sister. I support a team of nurses and doctors in delivering emergency care. I co-manage performance and conduct with the ED senior team in line with local and national policies. I believe that maintaining contact post attendance with our services users is really beneficial. Gaining your valuable feedback can help us create changes so we can deliver the best service we can.

Submitted on 04/11/2024 at 04:01
Published on Care Opinion at 04:01

picture of Robyn Jones

Dear Pathd73

I am so sorry to hear that the patient felt like they were not listened to, stigmatised and discriminated against. This is not the patient experience we strive for in ED.

Please do get in touch with the patient experience team so we can gain further detail to initiate any training with the relevant staff member.

Kind regards

Robyn Jones

Sister, ED

  • {{helpful}} {{helpful == 1 ? "person thinks" : "people think"}} this response is helpful
Opinions
Next Response j
Previous Response k