Horizon Health hears complaints over patient care

Western New Brunswick residents used an opportunity to meet with Horizon Health’s chief executive officer to outline their concerns about the province’s hospitals.

John McGarry met with citizens at the Upper River Valley Hospital in Waterville on Monday night to hear stories of pain and medical mistakes inside his hospitals.

This is the fifth in a series of meetings held by McGarry since the release of a scathing report Penny Ericson, a former nursing professor, compiled about her husband's experience at Fredericton's Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital.

Horizon Health would not let CBC News into the meeting between McGarry and the citizens who gathered to discuss their stories about their experiences with the province’s hospitals.

Instead, family members spoke with CBC News outside of the meeting.

Sadie Horne said she will never forget what happened to her late husband when he was in the hospital.

"One day they told me they couldn't find him at breakfast time," she said.

"He was between the bed and the window on the floor. His voice was not strong enough to holler help. I have no idea how long he had been there. And according to the records I had obtained, that has not been documented."

There were other stories of mistakes made during patient care.

I expect what they have taught us to expect: nothing.- Joyce Prosser

Gayle Ebbett said her sister found their mother in a coma after an over prescription of pain medication.

“My sister came down on Palm Sunday, to see mom and she was not responding. She kept going out to the nurse saying, 'There's something wrong with mom,' and her eyes were dilated,” she said.

“So anyway, being persistent, is the reason why they did save mom. And found out that she had 10 times the patch of pain [medication] that she was supposed to have.”

Ebbett said the patch should have had 12.5 mg. of medication, but it had 125 mg.

Horizon Health's McGarry said he wants to correct any issues, or at least improve care at his hospitals.

He also said he wants help from the people who have experienced problems with the health system.

"Out of the probably 70 people we have seen in four sites, we've asked five, I guess, to be part of a patients' advisory council," McGarry said on Monday.

“I expect we will now find someone upriver that will be part of that as well. That's an ongoing, permanent part of our effort to create a more patient-focused experience for our patients and their families.”

McGarry’s commitment to improve the situation in his health authority’s hospitals rung hollow with some people who showed up for the Monday meeting.

Joyce Prosser said she will believe it when she sees it.

"I expect what they have taught us to expect: nothing," she said.