‘We Need Tools Not Enemies’: Emergency Doctor Reacts To Stephen Mangion’s Inquiry Findings
An emergency doctor has reacted to the findings of the magisterial inquiry into Stephen Mangion’s death which concluded that the medical staff was not at fault.
“For me and for many like me who work in emergency, it wasn’t easy to read and hear everything that was written and said about this case (although a lot of us weren’t there when the case happened,” Luke Zammit wrote on Facebook.
“My blood started to boil but I chose to remain quiet out of respect for the family because ultimately, I didn’t know the facts.”
“It’s a pity, that now the facts are out, the experts, professors and geniuses who said so many things have now shut up. Where are you now? Where?
“We need tools, not enemies,” the doctor continued.
“Our work can be cruel by nature, but we didn’t need or deserve more cruelty.”
Speaking to Lovin Malta, Zammit said
“My point is simple: stop flogging an already overworked workforce unfairly and unjustly.”
“Not many on the island are willing to do what we do. Take care of us so we can take care of you when you need it most.”
The inquiry, led by Magistrate Joe Mifsud, found no negligence from the doctors and medical staff at the Floriana Health Centre, Mater Dei and telemedicine helpline, despite initial media reports, alleged witnesses and opposition members claiming otherwise.
The proces verbal was published earlier today after its conclusions were leaked to the media.
A press conference by Health Minister Jo-Etienne Abela soon followed. The minister expressed disappointment in the initial allegations circulating Mangion’s death and said the inquiry was published for the “public to be informed on what really happened”.
The investigation discovered that 55-year-old Mangion had first experienced pain at 4am but delayed seeking medical attention for 15 hours, despite advice from family and friends.
The symptoms he experienced were described as inconsistent with his cause of death. Mangion suffered from aortic dissection which is a serious medical condition that can be fatal unless treated immediately.
The magistrate found that the symptoms described by the patient to the different health professionals were atypical. The fact that he suffered from high blood pressure but had stopped taking medication for it further complicated the situation.
Three ECGs were performed on Manigon – one at the health centre and two at Mater Dei – and each time, doctors excluded a heart attack.
At the health centre, Mangion was told to wait for an ambulance since there wasn’t one available. However, since the ECG didn’t indicate a heart attack, the person accompanying him was a nurse, and the health centre was close to the hospital, everyone agreed that it would be best for him to be driven there.
After the third ECG, Mangion was told to wait in the Emergency Room. Here, he complained to nurses twice that the pain had worsened and was given paracetamol as they checked how many patients were left to be seen before him.
Not long after, he collapsed and was taken inside on a stretcher where CPR was performed. He reached the resuscitation room but was certified dead 35 minutes after he collapsed.
The inquiry found that considering the complexity of his condition, medical staff were not at fault for his death.
The magistrate further scolded “poems” and “comments” posted to social media based on a status made by someone who then deleted their Facebook profile.
Nonetheless, a ministerial inquiry to establish whether the healthcare systems need upgrading to avoid deaths of this kind is still ongoing. The minister said he is prepared to publish it.
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