"Lack of privacy when breaking bad news"

About: Western General Hospital / Colorectal Western General Hospital Colorectal EH4 2XU

Posted by Conpx56 (as a friend), last week

When will doctors realise that the curtains around the beds are not sound proof!
While visiting the hospital we heard a whole conversation while a doctor rather loudly broke some bad news to another patient on the ward, telling them about their condition and the treatment they might need.
The other patient was not bedbound and had been seen mobilising so seemingly no excuse not to take them to a private room.
The person I was visiting had heard other similar conversations with other patients during his stay in ward 24 at western general hospital in Edinburgh

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NHS Lothian

Submitted on 25/03/2025 at 13:29

Published on Care Opinion at 14:05

Many thanks for taking the time to provide feedback. Whilst it can be challenging providing privacy in a 5 bedded bay, I acknowledge the situation could have been handled more sensitively. I have forwarded your feedback to the relevant person in charge of medical staff and asked them to highlight to the wider team. Once again, many thanks for bringing this to our attention.

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