Vietnam War veteran who suffered stroke left ‘waiting for hours’ at Lyell McEwin Hospital, family says

A Vietnam War veteran who suffered a stroke was left “waiting for hours” in hospital unable to smile or speak, his family says — but SA Health has defended its care.

A stroke victim was left unattended in hospital waiting for care as vital hours ticked away, his family says — but SA Health says he received “appropriate care.”

Vietnam War veteran Eric “Lofty” Atkinson, 76, suffered a suspected stroke in his Houghton home in the afternoon of September 2 but did not start treatment until after 8pm, his wife Helen says.

“He was vacant, could not smile or talk, his tongue was out and his face was drooping,” she said.

He was taken to Lyell McEwin Hospital by ambulance and Mrs Atkinson was told the paramedics had spoken to the stroke team and she would get a call when he was in a cubicle.

She said she did not receive a call so went to the hospital and found him in the waiting room.

“In one and a half hours no-one had seen him,” she said.

Mrs Atkinson complained but said another half-hour passed so she again complained and was asked “if he was getting worse.”

Eric "Lofty" Atkinson and wife Helen. Picture: RoyVPhotography.

“He was at hospital by 4pm but was not scanned until 8pm which confirmed he had a stroke and they swung into action but by then it was well past the ideal window for treatment,” she said.

“We are bitterly disappointed he was left waiting for so long.”

Mrs Atkinson says her husband was treated with blood thinners, and had suffered a heart ablation for irregular heartbeat two weeks earlier.

While he has made a promising recovery from what was termed a minor stroke, he suffers memory gaps.

The Stroke Foundation says early treatment after a stroke is vital, as “the faster you can get treatment the more brain can be saved.”

It says clot busting drugs or clot retrieval “must be performed within a few hours after your stroke” but an “urgent CAT scan” is first needed to determine if it is a type of stroke suitable for such treatment.

Northern Adelaide Local Health Network chief executive Karen Puvogel said appropriate care was provided.

“They (Mr Atkinson) did not present with symptoms that would activate a Code Stroke – as assessed by SAAS and our ED team,” she said.

“As soon as there were clinical signs indicating a potential stroke, a Code Stroke was immediately called and the patient received rapid care.”

Opposition leader Vincent Tarzia said: “Our health system is in crisis, yet we have a government that just this week rolled out a $1.9m propaganda campaign to tell South Australians how great the health system is.”

“Mr Atkinson’s story highlights the sad state of our health system,” he said.

“All the spin in the world cannot gloss over a system that is failing. You cannot trust Labor with your health.”

Health Minister Chris Picton said the Liberals “did nothing” to improve the health system while in government.

“We are building a bigger health system, including opening more than 600 extra hospital beds and hiring hundreds more doctors and nurses,” he said.

Originally published as Vietnam War veteran who suffered stroke left ‘waiting for hours’ at Lyell McEwin Hospital, family says