Geelong mum’s ‘awful’ 18-hour wait at hospital emergency department

A Curlewis mother has revealed her “awful” hours-long wait at Geelong hospital after presenting with a suspected stroke.

A Curlewis woman says she waited more than 18 hours to be admitted to a ward after attending the emergency department due to a suspected stroke.

Jessica Moresco, 34, says she saw her GP on Monday morning last week after experiencing symptoms including tingling and numbness in her arm and dizziness.

Ms Moresco, who has since been cleared of a stroke, said the GP was concerned she may be having one and advised she go to the emergency department.

The mum-of-four, who is studying to be a paramedic, said she arrived at the Geelong hospital emergency department about 11am Monday and was assessed quickly.

But she said she was given varied advice by staff, who said she could be having a migraine.

“I know my body and something was wrong,” she said.

Curlewis mum Jessica Moresco. Picture: Mark Wilson

“I couldn’t hardly lift my left arm, it was numb, with limited strength and I had a numb and tingling face as well as being extremely fatigued and dizzy.”

She said at 2pm she was moved back to the waiting room from an assessment cubicle.

Ms Moresco questioned whether she should leave, but claimed she was told to stay as the hospital wanted to admit her, and that she required monitoring and an MRI within 24 hours.

The atmosphere in the waiting room was chaotic, she said.

“The staff I feel sorry for,” she said.

“They’re obviously trying their best … but then there’s people just waiting.”

She said the system needed to be better resourced by the government.

Ms Moresco said about 1am Tuesday, after repeatedly asking what was happening, she was put in an assessment room so she could try and get some sleep.

She said she was told she was dehydrated and could get an IV drip but it never arrived.

She said at 5.30am on Tuesday, 18.5 hours after arrival, she was taken to a bed on a ward.

But she said she received minimal attention and around midday she was told she would likely be discharged, without having an MRI.

Ms Moresco said she voiced her frustration and received a call from the neurological team who said she was likely suffering a migraine.

She said she was told to have the scan in outpatients just in case instead.

“I left unwillingly and was very disappointed with my overall care, the 18 hours to get a bed, the issue of (feeling) unheard,” she said.

“I acknowledge I was promptly seen (initially) but then the care diminished.

“I was very scared and worried.”

Barwon Health boss Frances Diver has apologies for Ms Moresco’s experience. Picture: Alison Wynd

She described the experience as “absolutely awful”.

Ms Moresco has complained to Barwon Health and contacted the Health Complaints Commissioner about her experience.

Barwon Health chief executive Frances Diver confirmed the complaint was received.

“Barwon Health consistently aim to provide the best possible care to each and every

patient,” she said.

“We apologise for Ms Moresco’s experience and our team are reviewing her complaint.”

Ms Moresco underwent an MRI via outpatients on Thursday that she said had cleared her of a stroke.

But she still felt unwell on the weekend and was set to undergo further tests this week.

Originally published as Geelong mum’s ‘awful’ 18-hour wait at hospital emergency department