A GROUP of chartered physiotherapists in Donegal have warned patients to ‘question everything’ after claiming that three of their patients have been misdiagnosed at Letterkenny University Hospital.
Physio Eireann, an Ardara based company, posted an alarming message on its Facebook page this evening but stressed that staff were NOT to blame.
The post claims that three patients, in separate incidents, were found to have fractured bones having initially been told ‘to go home’ from LUH.
Physio Eireann says that the HSE ‘in its current state is unsafe and putting the most vulnerable people at risk’.
The startling revelations come after a week in which the overcrowding at hospitals nationwide has reached crisis point.
Today, 30 patients at LUH were without a bed, the third highest figure in the country.
“We are not blaming the staff or the hospital,” Physio Eireann said.
“We have seen first hand how nurses are working at ratios of 1:12 and outpatient clinics are overflowing. The problem is the system.”
The message outlined the horror experienced by their patients.
“It is with great disappointment that we feel the need to post this.
“Over the last month we have had 3 separate incidents where Physio Éireann patients have attended the emergency department in Letterkenny General Hospital after trauma (mainly falls).
“All 3 patients were x-rayed and told all was fine and to go home. These patients were having ongoing severe pain that prompted all of them to return to the emergency department within a week and they were told to go home and NOT to come back.
“After suffering for weeks the patients and their families knew something wasn’t right. They turned to other hospitals and in some cases the private sector for a second opinion. Further investigations were ordered, which revealed fractured bones.
“Our specialty is orthopedics, usually non-life threatening and our patients will recover well, but is the same thing happening in ED with oncology, cardiology or neurology….?
“Our advice to avoid the same thing happening to you:
“1.Ensure you are listened to. In the above cases if the Doctors listened to the circumstances of the falls involved they may have ordered the correct investigation.
“2. 2. If possible, (and perhaps if you have the luxury of health insurance) consider traveling to hospitals further afield.
“3. If your “gut” tells you something more is going on then get a second opinion.
“4. Don’t be afraid to Question Everything.
“The HSE, in its current state, is unsafe and putting the most vulnerable people at risk. Something must change.
“Until then, question everything.”
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