Health Ministry Responds to Complaint on Hospital Wait Time for 7-Year-Old

The Ministry of Health & Wellness has responded to public concerns following a parent’s complaint about their child’s treatment at the Northern Regional Hospital. The incident, which occurred on Monday, involved a 7-year-old boy who sought medical attention for a forehead injury. The parent alleged an extended wait time, stating that her child was left unattended for over an hour. However, a review of surveillance footage offers a different timeline. The footage reveals that an adult female and the child entered the Emergency Department Triage Room at 2:56 PM, where he was quickly assessed by triage staff. The child wasn’t designated a “priority” case since there was no active bleeding or change in consciousness, and his wound had already been bandaged at school. Approximately 22 minutes later, at 3:18 PM, the hospital’s Regional Health Manager was informed of the parent’s concerns. Following this, a senior hospital officer was assigned to investigate the delay. By 3:36 PM, records indicate that the child and his guardian had departed from the hospital. In its counter to the complaint, the ministry emphasized that the Accident and Emergency Department adheres to a structured triage system designed to provide timely and appropriate care based on medical priority. In response to the incident, the ministry has pledged to strengthen communication efforts between staff and patients.