"Massively triggered by encounter with staff member"

I was filled with anxiety about recently having to return to the hospital — whose previous treatment of my father has left my family so very traumatised.

As I sat outside the Yellow Zone’s CT Scan department, where my poor mother was having a scan, roughly 14 people were milling around. With that, I heard an aggressive, raised voice swearing profusely. I am ashamed to admit I assumed it was most probably someone with a drug problem as the swearing and lack of awareness of aggressive vocabulary was so very bad. When I looked up, to my horror, I saw someone wearing blue hospital overalls — swearing, gesturing with their arms to their colleague, clearly relaying some story. I only hope they were referring to someone in their private life and not one of the patients. This person’s back was to me. I was astounded to hear such filthy language escape from a health worker’s mouth in the hospital. Fortunately, two CCTV cameras were nearby.

I immediately went to the reception desk to report what I had witnessed and returned to my seat. As I sat down, the same two hospital members of staff were now approaching me. I challenged the abrasive member of staff on their bad use of language, and then to my absolute horror I realised it was the member of staff I had complained about as my father lay dying. It massively triggered me. As I spoke, I realised who they were.

I told them I was going to complain. Let me be clear, I would have reported anyone who used language like that in a hospital — a safe place. I honestly still do not know how I made it out of the hospital — for I was so very badly shaken by the encounter. It has opened up the wounds all over again. Everything we had originally complained about, unprofessionalism of staff, etc, and then to come face to face with the person who caused my family so much upset — hearing their sheer lack of respect in the hospital was frankly disgusting.

So shame on you. I will not share your name. I don’t need to. Shame on you for bringing NHS Grampian into disrepute. Hang your head in shame. And see the next time an old demented man is dying on your ward, try showing some humanity. 

Alas, I seriously doubt you will.

Toilet