Son angry after waiting 10 hours in ED with his mother to seek urgent treatment

A son speaks of his fury after his elderly mother waited for 10 hours at the emergency department of a major Adelaide hospital to see a doctor.

Margaret Zadow was waiting over 10 hours to see a doctor at the Lyell McEwin Hospital. Picture: 9News

An elderly woman has fallen victim to the state’s deteriorating health system, after experiencing a 10-hour wait for treatment at a northern suburbs hospital.

Modbury Heights local, Margaret Zadow, travelled to the Lyell McEwin Hospital’s (LMH) emergency department at about 2.45pm on Monday to seek treatment for a painful leg ulcer.

The 88-year-old was referred to the hospital for critical treatment by her GP, but once she arrived at the LMH, she spent around 90 minutes in a queue waiting to be triaged.

Ms Zadow’s son, Alexander Zadow, said they were in the waiting room thinking “surely we’ve gotta be next,” with as many as two dozen people in the room asking the same question.

However, the pair were not able to see a doctor until 12.45am on early Tuesday morning.

Alexander Zadow claims mother Margaret Zadow waited for 10 hours in the Lyell McEwin Hospital to see a doctor. Picture: 9News

“There would’ve been two dozen people that went up to the window at one point or another and said how long do they have to wait for, there would’ve been a dozen people that left that I heard saying, ‘this is ridiculous’,” Mr Zadow told 9News.

Mr Zadow claims the hospital did not offer patients any refreshments such as water, during their extensive waiting time.

“How hard is it to get a cup, to get free freaking water in the new emergency department,” Mr Zadow said.

Opposition Leader David Spears said paramedics had claimed that Monday “was their worst day in living memory,” as the ramping crisis at the Royal Adelaide Hospital continues.

Mr Zadow said he would not subject his mother to the same situation again.

“I will not put my mother through that again, I won’t put myself through that again, and that next time if we need it, we will ring an ambulance,” Mr Zadow said.

There were 40 per cent more 000 calls compared to a usual Monday, according to the government.

Chris Picton MP says a 32-bed facility at the Repat Health Precinct in Daw Park will ease the ramping crisis at Major Adelaide Hospitals. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

All metropolitan public hospitals were on Code White – EDs at more than 125 per cent of capacity – as the system ran out of beds, with 529 people being treated or waiting to be seen compared to citywide capacity of 312 at 3.30pm on Monday.

All EDs were again on Code White at lunchtime on Tuesday.

Health Minister Chris Picton claimed the issue was being addressed, mentioning a 32-bed facility at the Repat Health Precinct in Daw Park, that is currently under construction.

“I would provide assurance to any family that we are moving every mountain possible to put in place the additional capacity that we need,” Mr Picton said.

Originally published as Son angry after waiting 10 hours in ED with his mother to seek urgent treatment