10 Feb 2013

I received a call from kkh outpatient pharmacy to inform us that potassium bromide has arrived. I called Clinic K to request for a prescription from any of the doctors that has seen Charlene. I was told that only the neurologist could prescribe the medication because it is an anti-epilectic drug. A few days later, a nurse from the neuro department relayed the doctor's message to us. I was told that we cannot get the prescription because the doctor has discharged Charlene. Discharge? On what basis? The nurse said the doctor said that since Charlene is already seeing the nuh neurologist, to prevent conflicts and different directions from different doctors, hence she is discharged.

I didn't know a patient can be discharged over the phone and the message is relayed by a nurse. I didn't know that seeking a second opinion for my child who has such uncontrollable seizures will lead to an automatic discharge with no regards to Charlene's well-being. Even if the doctor wants to discharge us, he should at least see us for the last time, tell us face-to-face why we are discharged and give us the medication since it is already in the pharmacy. Yet, we were told more than once that we are discharged. Apparently, the doctor doesn't really care if Charlene gets the medication on time or not (since it is an anti-epliectic drug, it will have consequences on her fits). Such unprofessionalism!