Queensland Health has been forced to issue an apology after a 13 Health hotline nurse gave bizarre advice to a distressed caller, rather than immediately directing her to the emergency department.
The health department is investigating the nurse, who told the patient – who had called regarding severe abdominal pain – to masturbate under the shower and rub oil on her anus.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reports that the woman had just undergone a serious operation, and had called the hotline late at night as a last resort because of her level of pain.
"We apologise for any distress caused to the patient, which is why we took immediate action including launching an investigation and making direct contact with the patient to follow up and apologise," a Queensland Health spokeswoman told news.com.au.
The hotline, operated by Queensland Health, receives around 100 calls per day – though the number of calls has surged during the coronavirus pandemic – and is operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by a team of close to 170 registered nurses.
