'Abusive' Roman Hasil blamed for heart attack
- Mel McMillan
- 7th October 2008
Independent child birth educator, Margaret Spain.
INDEPENDENT child birth educator Margaret Spain said she suffered a heart attack due to stress after a confrontation with Dr Roman Hasil in the Lismore Base Hospital birthing suite when he was employed there as an obstetrician in 2004.
Ms Spain, who was in the hospital as an advocate for a pregnant client, said Dr Hasil was refusing to listen to her client's wishes.
Ms Spain said she was abused and yelled at by Dr Hasil in front of hospital staff.
Fortunately, Ms Spain's heart attack was not serious and she only spent four days in hospital.
Ms Spain said Dr Hasil was not very good at communicating with women.
“It was like he was unable to hear what women wanted,” she said.
“He was adamant that they do what he said because he was the doctor.”
Ms Spain said she believed the culture at the hospital was very different these days.
She said some staff at the hospital during Dr Hasil's time there were too afraid to speak out.
But midwives at the hospital were now more proactive.
“They would speak up if something like that was going on now,” she said.
The Lismore Base Hospital has undergone changes which Ms Spain said had been very good for women giving birth.
“I hear really good feedback about services at Lismore Base Hospital these days,” she said.
Want to know more?
Doubts over Dr Hasil from day one: obstetrician.
Dr Roman Hasil allegedly 'under the influence'.
Dr Roman Hasil abuse list continues to grow.
Cesareans by Dr Hasil leaves women scarred.
