We had to order an ambulance for one of Don's hockey team mates--he thought he broke his ankle. I wasn't surprised when it took over 15 minutes to get there--bad weather & bad roads.
We were at Westside Regional Rec Centre on 69 St SW, the fire department is about 3-4 minutes south on 69 St (If you stop at the numerous 4 way stops).
I WAS surprised by their blasé, uninterested, unhelpful attitude. It took them over an hour to leave with him, mainly as they stood around. They checked his ankle and told him: a. it’s not broke b. there is no hospital to take him c. he should go home, relax & ice it! It was like he was being a poor, whining patient as he kept insisting he would like to go to the hospital. We were not crazy about driving him to the hospital as he appeared to be in shock--slurred words, not sure where he was, then nearly passed out when he stood up. The player himself finally suggested Black Diamond Hospital. BIG SIGH from the 2 ambulance drivers! They would 'HAVE' to check!! The answer came back: 'No, they don't want us to leave the city limits as its a busy night.' That was understandable, though he NEEDS to go in to the hospital.
By the way, they were wrong on all 3: broke, muscle tore & knee injured, the Rockyview Hosptial on 14 St SW took him right away, x-rayed, then surgery through the night, and no he should NOT go home (he was in shock).
Is the system REALLY broke or are the current staff UNMOTIVATED and/or UNTRAINED?
I don't call a lot of ambulances and when I do I would hope these 2 clowns do NOT respond. I want someone who knows what a broken bone looks & feels like (the front of the lower leg jutted out at 90 degrees and back to ankle--it certainly looked like something was wrong). And someone who at least appears to CARE. They were neither. We all stood around looking for direction from them and after long moments of silence, others were offering solutions and suggestions. They wanted to leave him there.
Again, is our system broke or are the members of the system unwilling to professionally perform their role?
It's like the police--hold the public (taxpayers)hostage for more money.
ReplyDeleteCall the police sometime. I called the non-emergency number on a Fri or Sat night as an owl was on Glenmore Trail. 6 police vehicles showed up. Vans, trucks, cars, all lights on. I was mortified.
Later I was upset the police are asking for more & more money. 6 cars for an OWL call!
Totally OVERFUNDED.