"Father's treatment"

Today I write on behalf of my father's recent experience he had while at the Emergency Department. My very elderly father was rushed to hospital with breathing problems - a suspected heart attack. He arrived by ambulance and was treated promptly by the professionals even though there were six ambulances ramping and were treating patients inside the ambulances - much to my disgust as a healthcare worker that this was occurring. Doctors and nurses completely rushed off their feet and patients waiting in isolated cubicles waiting for results, or to be seen. During that time there appeared to be limited staff if you were in need of urgent medical attention. The only visible people were the buzzing spotless staff who I believe hardly spoke a word of English while they seemed to be engaging in their own private conversations in the corridors.

Finally after being monitored overnight and his results being negative, I received a phone call by a nurse as I had left to go home, that my father was being discharged and he was asked to be picked up. I stated I would be an hour or so and they informed me that they would release him into the waiting room as they needed the beds. Again, much to my disgust arriving at the Emergency Department, I see my very elderly father (legally blind) standing outside holding his backpack unsupervised with no nurse, no frame or walking stick waiting for me. I asked what he was doing outside and I questioned the nurse at the front desk of the emergency waiting room why was he standing there on a hot day on his own. She answered he was cold, so I asked him to get some warm air outside!  I remained  speechless and disgusted and I couldn't be bothered asking any more information as we were both exhausted by a rough night with no sleep. What has happened to our health system? Our care and commitment to the patients well-being. This is only one story, but dealing with patients on a daily basis we hear complaints all the time. Things need to improve and quickly !