Freuchen Medical Centre
EE
Ellie E. 2 years ago • From Google
Bad
I feel my mother's serious health condition was not identified promptly by this surgery, which I believe contributed to her passing. The underlying issue was not investigated thoroughly when she first presented with significant pain. Instead, assumptions were made about the nature of her symptoms, and there was reluctance to pursue further diagnostic investigation. My mother experienced severe daily pain for an extended period, which affected her sleep and wellbeing, and she became increasingly distressed. When she expressed her concerns to a junior clinician, she felt dismissed and unsupported. Her mental health deteriorated following these interactions. I encountered difficulties when attempting to advocate for my mother's care. Reception staff responded with frustration when I raised concerns, and I felt that older women were not being taken as seriously as they might otherwise be. One clinician delayed referring my mother for imaging for several months. After months of unrelieved pain and no progress at the surgery, I felt compelled to take her to the emergency department. Only after multiple emergency visits was a serious diagnosis made. When I informed one of the clinicians of this diagnosis, his response seemed detached and casual. He indicated he had suspected this possibility previously, which left me questioning why this suspicion had not been communicated to us or acted upon months earlier. I felt the delay in diagnosis meant my mother endured prolonged suffering that might have been avoided with earlier intervention and specialist referral. I also experienced what I perceived as inconsistency regarding a promised telephone consultation. My mother waited for a call that did not materialise, and when contact was eventually made the following day, the clinician's account of events did not align with what had been communicated to us previously. This experience was deeply troubling. One clinician at the surgery demonstrated genuine care and compassion in her approach to my mother's care, which stood in contrast to other interactions. I would advise anyone experiencing unexplained pain to seek private diagnostic imaging or emergency care rather than relying solely on this surgery's assessment.
Abbie A.