Background

Sylvia visits Dr Abdullah for a routine check-up about a chronic condition for which she receives ongoing care and treatment. Sylvia has previously shared that her partner, Therese, can become violent when she drinks.

In today’s consultation, Dr Abdullah asks Sylvia a range of questions about her condition and how she’s been feeling since her last appointment. In addition to speaking specifically about the progress of her condition, Sylvia tells Dr Abdullah that she was separately hospitalised following an argument with Therese and that she also spent time in a refuge before returning home.

Dr Abdullah says he is worried about the fact that Sylvia has returned home to live with Therese because she’s at risk of harm there. In response, Sylvia tries to minimise the situation, saying she can usually avoid Therese when she is drinking and only told Dr Abdullah about being hospitalised because he asked how she’d been recently. Sylvia says that time was particularly bad but generally she’s able to de-escalate the situation and calm Therese down – like last weekend when Therese became violent after they’d been out for drinks with friends.  

Dr Abdullah asks Sylvia whether she called the police following the incident last weekend and reiterates his concern about her returning home. Sylvia confirms that she hadn’t informed the police and doesn’t want Dr Abdullah to inform the police or anyone else. Sylvia tells Dr Abdullah that Therese has apologised and said that she’ll stop drinking.