Thread by @kellycarmichae1

This is my 89 year old Mom waiting in the #Ptbo hospital garage for 4 hours to be triaged. She has severe parkinson's disease, dementia and covid. She was being treated by her nursing staff in her residence but was brought in due to a fall....con't #OntarioIsBroken

She had to be moved to to the end of the garage to make room for more patients. Everyone has #covid

When she was finally admitted, she was put in the 'out of service' room. These yellow stickers are posted all over the hospital. #ontarioisbroken

She was sent for xrays and found to have a brain bleed and a broken wrist. So they kept her for monitoring. She was supposed to be admitted to hospital. That was Friday night.

When I returned on Saturday, I wasn't allowed in to see her despite being her designated essential care worker. They 'found a bed bug on her'. She arrived in her t-shirt and their blankets.

Then they said I couldn't come in because she has covid despite the fact that I wear a thicker N95 than most of the staff and had been in the night before.

Then they said I couldn't see her because I had been in the night before. They seemed to be making it up as they go.

The Province has made allowances for disabled patients to be supported by their essential care workers. The hospital even posts the policy but they won't let my severely disabled Mom have any family support. #Ontarioisbroken

I'm sure she is feeling very scared and not able to understand what is happening nor able to communicate how she is feeling. No one has reached out from the hospital. Instead, I've been treated with contempt.

Despite all of this, I met some very lovely and compassionate paramedics and nurses who are working above and beyond to help people. #Ontario needs to know what is going on. #Ontarioisbroken

I was allowed to poke my head in to see her and her very kind Doctor called me to provide an update. It so hard to not know how your loved one is doing. I feel confident that healthcare workers are doing the best they can in a very stressed, underfunded system.

New Update: I will be allowed to go in!

Thank you for the great advice to call the Patient Relations Director. They advocated on our behalf and have turned this around.

Thanks for all your support.
Keep advocating for your loved ones! ❤️