"Meant well, but inappropriate term of endearment"

I recently accompanied my elderly father to Sunderland Eye Infirmary where he had an outpatient appointment following eye surgery.

This is a lovely, small hospital with caring staff and my father has had first rate treatment.

My only criticism is this: when called from the waiting room the female member of staff called my father "darling". My heart sank.

There are times and situations when it simply is not appropriate to such terms of endearment and I feel that staff should be aware of this.