EARLIER this year Leeton mother Patti Lloyd experienced a nightmare in real life when her son was injured playing sport at school.
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Ms Lloyd's sons suffered a brain injury in February in what she has labelled an incredibly distressing experience due to what followed after this.
The school called Triple Zero, having to wait 45 minutes for an ambulance to arrive from Ardlethan.
An off-duty paramedic did stop by and assist in the interim.
However, her son was in pain. becoming distressed and having a panic attack.
Once he was finally taken to Leeton District Hospital there were no doctors available to be called.
Telehealth services were used by nursing staff, all the while Ms Lloyd's son's condition was deteriorating. He was vomiting despite receiving injections to stop this from happening.
Another ambulance was called to take him to Griffith, but paramedics on arrival could see the 14-year-old needed specialist treatment and, with no neurologists in Griffith, they couldn't see the point in driving him 45 minutes down the road only to have him still waiting on treatment.
IN OTHER NEWS:
An intensive care paramedic (ICP) was called and that's when finally things started happening, according to Ms Lloyd.
"Then I was informed by the ICP the decision had been made to ring the air ambulance to send us to Sydney," she said.
"Once the doctor and paramedic arrived at the hospital from the helicopter they assessed him and stabilised him for the trip by sedating and intubating him.
"We left Leeton about 6.20pm and arrived in the Sydney Children's Hospital ICU about 8.20pm and they immediately took him down to CT scans.
"While the nurses (in Leeton) were very good and gave us the utmost care I could see concern on their faces as they were clearly challenged without the expertise of a doctor.
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"It is extremely unfair to put these health care professionals in very difficult and stressful circumstances without the support they need to treat patients."
Ms Lloyd said thankfully her son would fully recover from his injury, but her experience was one she wouldn't wish on anyone.
She attended last week's public meeting held by Member for Murray Helen Dalton to share her concerns surrounding the town's hospital.
"Why are there no doctors available to attend the hospital in emergencies?" she asked.
"I sincerely hope my confidence will be restored in the emergency and health care services in Leeton very soon."
Residents who have experienced similar situations at the hospital or who have refused care and wish to share their story to raise awareness should contact talia.pattison@irrigator.com.au.
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