Fans pitch in to save life More patients complaining
‘We encourage any patient who feels they have not received the appropriate service to lodge a complaint.’ Chris Lowry Capital & Coast DHB chief operating officer
AN ELTON JOHN fan who had a cardiac arrest at the star’s Wellington concert is alive, thanks to fast-acting spectators.
They noticed the emergency happening right in front of them in the Westpac Stadium car park, and one began CPR until paramedics came.
Westpac Stadium chief executive Shane Harmon said: ‘‘A passing patron provided CPR, which was fantastic. Wellington Free Ambulance was on the scene immediately.
‘‘My understanding is the patient is doing well and was conscious on the way to the hospital. We’re very pleased with that outcome.’’
Ambulance spokeswoman Diane Livingstone said paramedics used a defibrillator to gave the unknown patient a shock and get them breathing again.
She praised the actions of the members of public who helped.
‘‘It’s an amazing story. The more people who are taught and are confident doing CPR the better. That’s what saves lives.’’
Meanwhile, Elton John fans who tried hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock say they were heckled and manhandled at the stadium.
Those who stood up in the seated area on the pitch were booed by people sitting behind them, and anyone who tried dancing in the aisles was moved on by security staff, spectators say.
Ellen Jackman, 23, said she was heckled by people when she and her sister stood up to dance in the seated area on the field.
They moved into the aisle, but were again told they were blocking the view of the screen. A security guard later directed them to dance on the grass to the left of their seats.
Organisers confirmed dancing was not allowed in the aisles, because they needed to be kept clear in case of an emergency, but insisted there was no clampdown anywhere else.
Fan Simon Bradwell moved from his seat in the stands on to the field to dance, and said he had no problem with security staff. ‘‘We ended up with an awesome view and had a top night.’’
Paul Morris spent $500 for two premium tickets on the pitch, close to the stage. But because Elton John was far back on the stage, he could see the show only via two large screens.
If they stood, people behind them couldn’t see, and they could not move to the aisles because they saw others there being moved on by security staff.
In the end, they moved to the stands so they could see Elton.
‘‘It’s ridiculous. You spend all that money and you can’t see the stage.’’
Promoter Phil Sprey described the no-dancing claims as ‘‘absolute rubbish’’, and said Elton John encouraged people to get up and dance.
No dancing was allowed in the aisles, but people could dance in front of their seats, or on grassy flanks, or towards the front of the stadium, he said.
Fans spend up a storm KIWIS are complaining about healthcare more than ever, with services in Wairarapa receiving the harshest criticism from patients.
The health and disability commissioner has revealed that the first half of this year was a record for patient discontent, with 380 complaints about everything from botched surgery to rudeness.
However, picky patients rather than poor treatments could be to blame, with the commissioner not investigating the vast majority of complaints.
About one in four complaints related to surgery, while one in five took umbrage at mental health services.
Delayed or incorrect diagnosis was by far the most common complaint, the primary concern for roughly one in five complaints, followed by poor treatment once a diagnosis was made.
In a foreword to the report, commissioner Anthony Hill said communication continued to be a significant gripe among patients, raised in a third of all complaints.
‘‘We see that when things go wrong within DHB services, failings in teamwork are often implicated.’’
Bad attitudes and ‘‘disrespectful manner’’ were also raised in nearly a quarter of all complaints.
The Wellington region received more than its fair share of complaints, with the Wairarapa and Hutt Valley district health boards receiving the first and second highest rates of complaints in the country, relative to how many patients they served.
Capital & Coast DHB also had a high rate compared with other regions.
However, Wairarapa DHB hospital manager Jill Stringer said there had been only seven complaints, and the rate was high because the DHB serviced such a small population.
‘‘If we have that sort of variation with greater numbers that would be of concern,’’ she said.
The report also did not account for compliments, which usually outweighed criticism, she said.
‘‘I think the rise has a lot to do with improved reporting.’’
CCDHB chief operating officer Chris Lowry said all complaints were taken seriously.
‘‘We value the feedback provided in all of these cases and encourage any patient who feels they have not received the appropriate service to lodge a complaint.’’
Amber O’Callaghan, Hutt Valley DHB quality and risk executive director, said that the rise in complaints reflected that patients were finding it ‘‘easier to express dissatisfaction’’.
The commissioner was not available to comment yesterday but has previously said the rise in complaints should be treated with caution, with little evidence they reflected a deterioration in the quality of treatment.
And the figures show few complaints are upheld, with only 33 of 410 complaints even investigated during the period. Of those, only 17 were upheld.
None of the complaints about Wairarapa DHB were upheld and only one was even investigated.
THe Hutt Valley DHB dealt with 25 complaints; one was upheld after it was investigated.
Capital & Coast DHB dealt with 40 complaints. Three were upheld.