Parent of child with rare form of epilepsy distressed over N.S. ER closures
Kristen Hayes' son has a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet Syndrome, a condition that began with seizures when he was eight months old.
Sometimes, 12-year-old Lukas’ seizures spike a high fever and he needs help at a hospital.
“In those instances, we really feel like we need to be somewhere if there is that immediate help if necessary,” says Hayes.
Hayes lives close to the hospital in Yarmouth, N.S., but she says that twice in the past month, her son has been taken by ambulance to the emergency room there, only to be left waiting.
Four weeks ago, he had three seizures and a high fever, and was rushed to hospital. During the trip, Hayes says paramedics had to administer rescue medication on her son after he had a fourth seizure.
She says when the ambulance arrived, it was turned away because there wasn’t enough staff to care for him. Hayes says it was only with the advocacy of a paramedic that the hospital took him in.
Then last Friday, her son had a seizure at summer camp. The camp called 911, and again Lukas was taken to hospital. There, Hayes says she couldn't believe the wait.
“We went in and the paramedics had to stay with us for probably close to two hours before he was able to be put into a room to be seen by a doctor.”
Her greatest fear, is that Dravet Syndrome can result in what's known as Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP).
She says the pandemic and being in a rural area are both no excuse for a system left strained and under-staffed.
“As a parent of a child with epilepsy, or any other health conditions, it's really hard to think that they might not receive the help that they need because it's not available nearby,” says Hayes.
Nova Scotia Health's website shows a long list of temporary emergency department closures throughout the province -- some overnight and others for several days.
The health authority says it comes down to lack of staff caused by COVID-19, summer vacation time, and vacancies.
“We continue to really focus our efforts on recruitment and retention so that we can really minimize any surface disruption across the zone and the province,” says Alyson Lamb, the executive director for the Western Zone.
The Western Zone’s medical director, Dr. Cheryl Pugh, says they often shift staff around to make sure areas are covered, and that paramedics and other services are part of the equation.
“There are always care providers available to provide care, they may not be immediately in your community but there is ability to access emergency services,” she says.
Lamb encourages Nova Scotians who need emergency medical help to call 911 or head to the nearest available emergency department.
In the meantime, Hayes has been speaking out about her experiences online in the hopes of spurring the province government to address the crisis.
“There has been an overload on the doctors and the nurses and the paramedics for a long time, but I do feel it’s getting worse,” says Hayes.
She says while medical staff have been working hard and doing everything they can, what’s needed is for government to provide the proper resources, to relieve the ongoing pressure.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
B.C. man fighting for refund after finding someone living at Whistler vacation rental
Edwin Mostered spent thousands of dollars booking a vacation home in Whistler, B.C., for a group skiing trip earlier this year – or so he thought.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Mortgage companies could intensify the next recession, U.S. officials warn
U.S. officials worry the next recession could be intensified by a cascading series of failures in the mortgage industry caused by crashing home prices, frozen financial markets and soaring delinquencies.