Paramedic slams doctor ‘Patient refused help outside centre’

But Medicross spokesman Charel Hanekom said the man who fell was offered help, but declined.

“One of the doctors, who happened to be in the reception area, asked for the patient [to] be brought into the facility, where all the necessary equipment was on hand to provide him with the appropriate assistance.”

He said a nurse immediately went outside to check on the man, who was fully responsive.

“The nurse suggested the elderly [man] . . . come into the Medicross so that he could be examined and assisted by a doctor,” Hanekom said.

“However, he declined the offer. A kind bystander later took the elderly couple home.

“In a life threatening emergency situation a healthcare professional will at all times render the necessary assistance, as far as is reasonably possible.”

But Hanekom said the man was comfortable and chose not to receive any assistance.

Putter tells a different story. He said he was driving past the Medicross in Westering when he saw an elderly man fall a few metres from the centre.

“I noticed the man was in a critical condition. He was foaming from his mouth and had developed seizures.”

He said he put the man in a comfortable position and ran inside the medical centre.

“I approached the front desk but everyone was busy on the phone.

“I then approached a doctor who was standing nearby.

“I explained to him what was happening but he responded that ‘We do not go outside’. What does that even mean?” Putter asked.

When Putter went outside, the man was being helped into a vehicle and taken for further medical attention.

“But are you telling me that a doctor is going to ignore the fact that someone’s life might be at risk.

“I am disappointed in that doctor, who is selfish,” Putter said.