Doctor doesn't know how to administer insulin injection

[Ellen]

Wynnum Hospital doctor did not know how to inject insulin | The Courier-Mail
A DOCTOR at a Brisbane hospital refused to inject a diabetic with insulin - because he didn't know how to do it. His job was just to supervise patients, he said.
The Wynnum Herald reports the Wynnum Hospital doctor had to call another hospital to get technical advice on how to administer the insulin needle.
A spokeswoman for Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the hospital's doctors could handle emergencies but the diabetic said his treatment was a disgrace.
1.7 million Australians have diabetes.
Read on about the doctor who didn't know how to give an insulin injection.







Wynnum Hospital a disgrace? - Local News - News | Wynnum Herald

Wynnum Hospital a disgrace?

• news
  • Local News

14 Jan 09 @ 08:45am by



A PENSIONER who claims a doctor at Wynnum Hospital was unable to administer an insulin shot has become embroiled in a dispute over the emergency department’s level of care.

Richard Supranowicz, an insulin-dependent diabetic, said the doctor told him he would need technical advice from either the Redlands or Princess Alexandra hospitals on how to administer the insulin needle.

“He also explained his experience was very limited, and his main duties were to supervise admitted patients,” Mr Supranowicz said.

Mr Supranowicz, directed to Wynnum after phoning a Queensland Health hotline, said he had to be transferred to Princess Alexandra Hospital to be treated for high sugar levels.

A spokeswoman for Health Minister Stephen Robertson said he had ordered a full investigation into the issues raised by Mr Supranowicz.

Mr Robertson said: “Doctors at Wynnum Hospital are qualified and registered medical practitioners who can handle emergencies and provide resuscitation and stabilisation of emergencies until transfer or retrieval to a higher level service.

“A doctor is rostered on and is on site at all times.”

Mr Supranowicz, however, described the situation as “absolutely disgraceful”.

Wynnum specialist physician Dr Brian Senewiratne said Wynnum Hospital was a ``write-off’’.

``It has been a write-off for a long time because it doesn’t have the beds, the trained staff or the facilities, so everyone is referred to the PA which doesn’t have the beds either,’’ he said.

``There is the obstinate refusal of the administration to admit there is a problem.’’

Queensland Health’s website lists the facility’s hospital services as being ``acute medical’’ and ``emergency services’’.

Dr Senewiratne said Wynnum deserved better because patients especially those who were elderly needed practical and emotional support from nearby family and friends.

Opposition health spokesman Mark McArdle said: ``I think it is a reasonable expectation that a hospital that is described as offering acute medical and emergency services on the Queensland Health website should actually do this.’’