Six-hour delay for elderly stroke victim

Arie Grootegoed's partner Lois died in a hospital that he said was 'like a prison'. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Manki Kanji was flown back from a holiday in the United States with two nurses to be treated nearer her family at North Shore Hospital after she had a major stroke. She landed in the hospital's winter from hell.

Her son, Dr Kantilal Kanji, a GP, said yesterday the worst aspect of the care provided to his 81-year-old mother was a six-hour delay before a house officer came to see her after he raised concerns about her possibly developing heart failure.

Mrs Kanji died eight days after her arrival at the hospital

Dr Kanji said his confidence in the hospital had been shaken.

It could only be restored by the Waitemata District Health Board proving that changes it had introduced had dealt with the root problems.

But he was satisfied with Health and Disability Commissioner Ron Paterson's inquiry, which had dealt with the issues.

Another man drawn into the inquiry was Arie Grootegoed, who lost Lois, 82, his partner of 19 years. She died in North Shore Hospital in April 2007.

Lois - Mr Grootegoed asked that her surname not be published - was taken to the hospital's emergency care centre suffering from gastric bleeding. She spent 36 hours there.

She was discharged after her condition improved, but it was found she had a broken hip. She was taken back to hospital for surgery, but she died eight days later.

Mr Grootegoed said it was not appropriate to keep her in an emergency centre cubicle for so long.

The hospital was so busy it was a "hopeless situation" - "beds in corridors, it's too narrow, too small, no outside windows. It's like a prison."