"‘Because I said so’"

Attended this A&E department with step-daughter who had dizziness following concussion, sent to A&E from GP hub.

17 year old daughter passed from paeds A&E to adult A&E, no protocol for this age range. Ended up in adults waiting for 3 hours.

‘Senior’ doctor was patronising (according to daughter) and automatically assumed her emotional lability was depression due to work issues. No taking into context concussion few weeks previously. When challenged on this would tell guardian to ‘wait till I finish talking.’

After examination for dizziness (under a little duress, it felt) he didn’t change his opinion her depression was not connected to the initial head injury. I pressed for scan (as per GP advice) and ask why she couldn’t have one. ‘Because I say so’ was his answer - very rude and not taking into consideration the whole series of events.

We sought a second opinion. This doctor was methodical and examined her in a respectful manner with no previous bias. After explaining the symptoms she has he had, observations seen on examination and risks of a scan, we agreed that a scan was not appropriate at this time and we could return if symptoms deteriorated.

The first doctor was rude, dismissive and took no account of the patients age or actual symptoms. Latching everything onto ‘depression’ can be incredibly harmful and all doctors should be careful of patients interpreting their very real symptoms as ‘all in their head. I hope senior doctors can demonstrate true professionalism by not seeking an emotional diagnosis as the first option.