Patient Insulted on answering machine by GUM clinic staff

[Lacelotte]

A hospital has apologised after staff inadvertently left an insulting message on a teenage patient's telephone.

The message said Sharon Roberts, 19, was a "smelly drunk with black teeth".

It was left by staff at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, who were reminding her about an appointment - but then carried on talking.

Miss Roberts, of Stockton, said she was disgusted. The hospital said that what had happened was unacceptable and an investigation was being carried out.

The message was from the Genito Urinary Medicine (GUM) clinic.

Apparently looking at medical notes, staff discussed her alcohol consumption, alleged to be 100 units a week, and chatted about her Iraqi Kurdish boyfriend.

One woman in the office said to another: "Oh yeah, but come on, who else is going to have her, bless her.

"She smells, she had black teeth. She's a typical either druggie or alkie because she's dead skinny."

'Right to dignity'

Miss Roberts said: "I was really disgusted when I heard it. I felt physically sick.

"They said I drink 100 units a week but that was a load of rubbish. I don't drink that much and I've never touched drugs in my life.

"I had anorexia when I was younger and that's why I'm so thin. I want compensation and I want them sacked."

South Tees Hospital NHS chief executive Simon Pleydell said: "We would like to apologise unreservedly to Miss Roberts for the distress this has caused.

"Everyone has a right to dignity, respect and confidentiality and what has happened is totally unacceptable.

"The trust has launched a major internal investigation and we will keep Miss Roberts informed of its progress."

[Lacelotte]

[Lacelotte]

All of this from the same hospital that two months ago when my son was born, took blood samples from the placenta to test for downs syndrome, packaged them up in a standard cardboard box and sent them via Royal Mail to MY HOUSE (where they were the postie put it in the bin cupboard as he does with all packages) instead of chilling it and sending it by special courier to the life centre in Newcastle.

When I returned home from hospital 4 days after Henry was born to find them and I called the hospital at 2200 and the preverbial poo hit the fan. The bloods were now completely useless for testing.
We received plenty of apologies from every Tom, Dick & Harry.

Did I sue the hospital? No. Maybe I should have. Seems to be the first thing everybody else seems to do these days!
Oh but then again they didn't call me any name (to my face)  ;D

[OllieC]

The lack of professionalism is appalling - but I think it's a shame you can't have an opinion these days. Her lack of self awareness is interesting - if that's how she comes across, maybe she could make a little more effort! She should say thanks for the feedback & go buy a toothbrush... sack perfectly good staff 'cos someone can't be bothered with their appearance.

[SamLouise]

Don't get me wrong, it's not a nice thing to have happen and quite unprofessional of the staff, but I did laugh!  It's catty remarks that we've all made about someone but not wanted them to hear.  Just unfortunate that this was a thingy up - BIG TIME!  ;D

And the whole compensation thing?  For goodness sake, grow a backbone, woman!  Ok, it wasn't nice and it's pretty uncalled for but get over it!  Maybe she was originally from America?  ;) ;) ;D

Edit:  Just read Ollie's post and lolol

She should say thanks for the feedback & go buy a toothbrush...