"My story is about my relative"

I am writing to express my deep disappointment and concern about the care my adult child received at the Peel Emergency Department recently. Despite arriving with what I felt were clear symptoms of a stroke, we were left waiting for three hours before my partner inquired about admission.

I believe the doctor who attended to my child failed to:

- Listen to their symptoms

- Provide preventive measures

- Measure internal pressure

- Conduct a thorough examination

The ED didn't take further steps to investigate my child’s condition, despite the CT scan not showing anything conclusive, they did not offer digital cerebral angiography which I feel definitely would be a more detailed imaging test that could help to diagnose issues with blood vessels in my child’s brain.

It's understandable that I was worried about the hospital's decision not to perform additional tests, especially given my child's symptoms and the potential for a stroke.

We were even told that if the condition worsened, we could return to ED again, but in worsened condition my child might not survive. Tragically, their condition deteriorated on the following day, and we had to call the ambulance again on the day after.

The second ambulance team, which was called on the day after, including two paramedics, I believe shockingly misdiagnosed my child's condition as Covid or a virus, despite what I believe are clear symptoms of a stroke. My child, a medical college graduate, knows their symptoms well, having undergone unsuccessful surgery for a non-closed malformation.

Furthermore, the paramedic's attempt to reassure us by suggesting that my child's symptoms were merely due to Covid or a virus was not only inaccurate but also dismissive of our legitimate concerns. As a medical professional, my child knew their symptoms were consistent with a stroke, and it was frustrating to have their expertise ignored.

To our horror, we were again taken to the same hospital, where we had previously experienced ‘care’. Despite our explicit requests for specialized stroke treatment, the hospital failed to provide the necessary expertise and resources, further compromising my child's recovery. This repeated failure to provide adequate care is a clear indication of systemic issues within the hospital and a violation of trust.

I wept every time I saw my child suffering, feeling helpless as they were denied proper medical care. Despite my child’s dedication to sports and healthy living, and their own medical training, the hospital failed to provide even basic preventive or treatment measures. In my opinion, my child’s reputation as a hardworking and kind individual, respected by all who knows them, makes this apparent neglect even more unbearable.

The hospital staff's behavior was not only seemingly negligent but also, I feel, arrogant and gaslighting. They interrupted us, dismissed our concerns, and pressured me to accept what I felt was their flawed diagnosis. Despite my repeated explanations, they refused to acknowledge my child's medical history, including their previous surgery for a malformation using an embolizer. They misidentified the coil as a 'metal plate', I believe displaying a shocking lack of expertise. Their actions have left us feeling re-traumatized, silenced, and betrayed by the very people sworn to care for us.

Instead of addressing my child's dire medical situation, the hospital staff had the audacity to ask invasive questions about my personal life, such as how I met my partner, and whether my child used drugs. I feel this blatant attempt to deflect attention from their own failures and shift the blame onto us is both heartbreaking and infuriating. Their priorities are clearly not with providing adequate care, but with covering their own tracks and perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

Upon arrival, we were met with a lack of urgency and a dismissive attitude from the staff. One of the staff members even warned us not to come back to this hospital and find another one, which was alarming and unprofessional. Later one of the doctors prescribed medication without considering my child's allergies, which caused a severe allergic attack. When I expressed my concerns and worries, the doctor seemed to dismiss them, I recall saying, so what allergy? They always prescribe everybody. This reckless disregard for my child's well-being is unacceptable.

Furthermore, the nurse provided a sock with a heater as treatment, which was entirely inappropriate for a stroke patient. I believe this lack of proper care and attention led to my child's condition worsening, and they eventually suffered a stroke.

Furthermore, I am appalled that the hospital discharged my child while they were still in a fragile state, unable to walk or care for themself. I believe the decision to discharge them was reckless and endangered their life. To make matters worse, the pill given to my child just before discharge caused a severe reaction, worsening their condition.

The list of what I feel is negligence and mistreatment is staggering:

- No follow-up on test results

- Unnecessary MRI

- Misdiagnosis (coil instead of blood clots/stent)

- Lack of prevention and treatment for three days

- No wheelchair assistance

- Allergic reaction to medication

- Disrespectful and seemingly discriminatory behaviour towards me and my child as foreigners

In my opinion, the hospital's negligence and incompetence were staggering. After the puncture, we were left in the dark about the results. Then, an unnecessary MRI was performed, and the 'experts' mistakenly found a coil instead of blood clots. For three days, my child received no preventive care or treatment, and I felt we were mocked and discriminated against as foreigners. It's appalling that the hospital seemingly failed to provide basic care and dignity, worsening my child's condition and leaving us feeling helpless and disrespected.

I demand a thorough investigation into this incident, including:

- A review of the discharge procedure and the decision-making process

- An explanation for the prescription of the harmful medication

- Disciplinary action against the healthcare professionals involved

- Implementation of measures to ensure patient safety and prevent similar incidents in the future

I request a thorough investigation into this matter, and appropriate action to ensure that such incidents do not recur. This includes:

- A review of the hospital's stroke protocol and staff training

- Disciplinary action against the staff members involved

- Implementation of measures to ensure patient safety and dignity

- A formal apology and acknowledgment of the harm caused