83-year-old Susan Halbert broke her arm in two places after she fell outside her home.
However, she was told by doctors that she was too old for treatment.
When the pensioner fell, emergency services were contacted and she was taken to Glasgow’s New Victoria Hospital. However, doctors didn’t check on her because she was over 65.
The New Victoria has a unit which is equipped to treat limb injuries.
Mrs. Halbert was then brought to A&E at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where, after waiting for four hours, she was only given a splint and they sent her home.
“I’ve never experienced anything like it. The paramedics were lovely. They came straight away and couldn’t be more helpful. Unfortunately that didn’t continue,” said Mrs. Halbert.
“They took me to the Victoria and we went inside, only for the receptionist to explain that I couldn’t be seen because I was over the age of 65.
“Rather than be able to go and help other people, the paramedics instead had to take me to the Queen Elizabeth, which was so busy I had to wait four hours to be triaged and another two hours to be treated.”
She added: “The paramedics were as stunned as I was. They even told me they had never heard of someone being too old for treatment before.
“I was very cross at the time because I was there with my arm broken in two places and there was this woman on reception who wasn’t even a doctor telling me I couldn’t go in.
“We are all people. Whether someone is one or 101, we all deserve to be treated the same and not like second-class citizens.”
Mrs. Halbert’s condition worsened and she was flown to Royal Free Hospital for treatment.
The Health board of the New Victoria apologized to Mrs. Halbert for ‘confusion.’
“There is no upper age limit for patients at our Minor Injuries Units (MIUs),” a spokesperson said.
“Our MIUs can treat cuts and grazes, insect bites, minor burns, sprains and strains and limb injuries such as a broken ankle.
“However, they are unable to treat more serious conditions such as complex fractures and this patient must have required to be seen in an accident and emergency department.
“We are sorry for any confusion around where this patient should have been sent and that she was unhappy with the care she received.
“We are happy to discuss this with her in more detail if she gets in touch.”
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