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I was embarrassed by their questions and attitude

Posted By corvusrw9

"I was embarrassed by their questions and attitude"

About: Causeway Hospital / Accident & Emergency

(as the patient),

I was at the hospital on Monday night because I had stomach pains and digestive problems and I was advised by my GP to go to A&E. I was seen in triage and told that my stomach was badly swollen so I would need to wait for an x-ray. I waited for over 6 hours and was not seen. I am also exempt from wearing a mask because I have a lung condition, and I was wearing my lanyard, but staff members approached me when I was waiting in A&E and asked me why I wasn't wearing a mask. I told them that I was exempt, but I was very embarassed by their questions and attitude. I am very unhappy with this and feel that I was treated unfairly because I have a learning disability and a hidden disability from my lung condition.

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Responses

Response from Natalie McLaughlin, Clinical Services Manager, Renal & Endo-Diabetes, Ward B2, Ward C5 and Renal Unit., Northern Health and Social Care Trust 2 years ago
Natalie McLaughlin
Clinical Services Manager, Renal & Endo-Diabetes, Ward B2, Ward C5 and Renal Unit.,
Northern Health and Social Care Trust

Submitted on 15/03/2022 at 10:16
Published on Care Opinion at 10:16

Corvusrw9

My name is Natalie McLaughlin and I am the Assistant Clinical Services Manager of the Emergency Department in Causeway.

I would like to express my sincere apologies that you felt you were not treated with the dignity and respect we would expect by our staff.

Guidelines for health care settings remain unchanged in terms of Covid-19 restrictions and we continue to ask patients and service users to wear face coverings. This is to reduce the risk of transmission and protect our most vulnerable and sick patients. Staff have been asked to challenge those who are not wearing face coverings, however, this should have be done in a courteous and respectful manner, and consideration taken for those exempt.

We as a Trust actively promote equality and diversity and in no way would we want our patients to feel they have been treated unfairly.

I hope that if you need to use our services in future, that you would have a more positive experience.

Thank you for posting this feedback. I will ensure it is shared with our staff for learning, and reflection.

Best wishes

Regards

Natalie McLaughlin

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