Elderly man with a severe back problem is forced to CRAWL on the ground to use his toilet after being sent home from hospital
- Dennis Murphy, 76, was sent home from hospital after being refused an MRI
- A few hours later he was in so much pain he was forced to crawl to the bathroom
- He calls on Health Minister Stephen Wade for changes to the health care system
An elderly man with a severe back problem was forced to crawl to use a toilet after being refused an MRI scan.
Dennis Murphy was taken to Flinders Medical Centre, in Adelaide’s south, on Tuesday afternoon after fearing he had slipped a disc in his spine.
But doctors told the 76-year-old he couldn’t have an MRI because the machine is only reserved for neurological and emergency cases.
Dennis Murphy (pictured) was taken to Flinders Medical Centre, in Adelaide’s south, on Tuesday afternoon after fearing he had slipped a disc in his spine
After being diagnosed with acute sciatica and sent home, Mr Murphy began suffering excruciating pain hours later leaving him unable to stand.
Now, he is speaking out against the healthcare system comparing his inadequate treatment to the same level found in a third world country.
‘You’re reduced to a beggar,’ Mr Murphy told 7News.
‘I’ve seen beggars in the third world nearly 80 doing the same thing,’ he said.
The doctor gave him an X-ray and told him to get physiotherapy.
Health Minister Stephen Wade said while the video is upsetting, he was not discharged in that state.
‘It is very distressing for anyone to see their family in pain and discomfort [but], I’m advised at the time of discharge the gentleman was mobile,’he said.
Mr Murphy said he was gobsmacked by his treatment and hopes the video will push the health minister into action.
The health minister has apologised to the family publicly, but has admitted he is yet to reach out in person.
Mr Murphy (pictured) said he was gobsmacked by his treatment and hopes the video will push the health minister into action