The Sunday Territorian’s story about Mr Hammar’s  situation and hospital experiences  ( Hospital Horror, 28 September) should be thoroughly investigated. My response is not to comment on his treatment but rather a reaction to Mrs Hammar’s  comment when she went to the ED at RDH. She is reported as saying that during their long wait,”… there were a lot of people swearing, shouting abuse and urinating in the waiting room.” 

On several occasions over the past three years, I have had to visit the ED at RDH. The care we have received has been empathetic and considerate, but the environment, both in the waiting room and in the ED itself, is far from pleasant. Swearing, abuse, and unseemly behaviour are constant. Some time ago, the hospital staff were advised by management to take care not to leave equipment that could become projectiles or handheld weapons, without attention.

The behaviour of far too many attending the ED, either by ambulance transfer or otherwise, is appalling. For whatever reason, that awful behaviour is accepted, tolerated and continues to be excused and condoned. It has also become more pronounced over time.

Why?