"Triage and emergancy"

Recently my spouse was taken to Geraldton Hospital triage in an ambulance after an ETS Dr in Dongara Health Centre, advised the staff at Geraldton that my spouse needed a ct scan urgently as it seemed they were at risk of a stroke, after witnessing the episodes of feelings of numbness in the left side leg, arm, face and chest areas with afib like symptoms and shortness of breath.

On arrival ( approximately 1645 ) my spouse was taken into triage in a wheel chair and triaged by a nurse before the ambulance staff left as they knew i was behind them. On my arrival ( approximately 1655 ) my spouse was still sitting in the triage area in front of a packed area of patients. At approximately 1800 my spouse started to have another episode (still in triage in front of everyone) this lasted approximately 30min.

During this time i approached the triage staff and informed them of the situation. They informed a staff member in A&E. As nothing was done (no obs, no monitor) i alerted staff again.  Still no monitor, but this time a Dr came out and advised us that they would try to fast track the scan. At 1915 the CT Scan was finally done.

We were taken back to the triage to wait another 2hr's before being taken through to A&E area. The Dr advised that the scan results were still not back, so after a few questions after reading the notes we sat for another 30-60min's. Finally to be told there was not risk of stroke and could go home and they would send the results and notes to our local GP. We finally left the hospital at approximately 2315.

The result was good but not resolved. As as having a back ground in the health system i know that a suspected stroke patient should have been, being monitored for signs of change and at least being taken away from the public area when having an episode. Or the courtesy of being allowed to lay down.