Although medical staff are expected to act professionally, there are still instances when people with sight loss are treated poorly by medical personnel. Examples include:
- Speaking to your companion rather than addressing you,
- Entering a room without announcing themselves or leaving the room without informing you,
- Touching you without notifying you,
- Bringing you a meal without telling you what it consists of or helping you navigate the tray,
- Providing unhelpful or confusing directions,
- Telling you to go to a numbered room without helping you locate it,
- Asking you to take a seat without helping you locate the seating area,
- Hovering over you consistently.
Unfortunately, not everyone is aware that this kind of behaviour is rude and can cause you distress. To minimize the chances of this occurring, it is helpful to inform the staff of your disability and what you personally require from them. You may need to remind the staff member that every individual with sight loss is different and what one person required in the past is not necessarily what you need in your situation. Calling ahead of time and informing the staff can also help both you and the medical staff during your appointment.
If you have been treated poorly, consider following up with a staff person’s supervisor or senior management. If this approach does not address your concerns, you can find additional options in the section of this handbook, titled What can I do to enforce my rights?