Former Olympic coach left with ongoing damage after 36-hour hospital ordeal
Queensland's health minister has defended medical care given to a former Olympic skateboarding coach who sustained irreversible brain and eyesight damage in a 36-hour ordeal.
Patrick Gemsik received emergency surgery for a brain tumour in March, but his family said permanent damage was caused by delays to his treatment.
The Labor opposition questioned the government over the care the 38-year-old received in state parliament, questioning what, if any, reviews had been conducted, or if an apology would be offered.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls told parliament the matter had been dealt with "appropriately" and "compassionately".
Patrick Gemzik was transferred to the PA, where he was ramped for four hours and suffered several seizures. (Supplied: Gayle Gemzik)
Speaking outside the House, Mr Gemsik's mother Gayle, a former registered nurse, said she watched her son continuously deteriorate while her concerns fell on deaf ears.
"We watched Patrick die before our eyes," she said.
"Patrick had a massive seizure. He stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated.
"At this stage, from the time we had rung the ambulance, till the time Patrick had emergency surgery, it was 36 hours.
"Now, that need not have happened."
Ms Gemsik called an ambulance for her son after he had a headache and sensitivity to light.
Gayle and Patrick Gemzik have criticised the Princess Alexandra Hospital. (Supplied: Gayle Gemzik)
They waited four hours for an ambulance that never came before driving her son to Redlands Hospital.
It was 16 hours before a CT scan was undertaken, despite what she said were clear neurological symptoms.
Ms Gemsik said Redlands Hospital called the Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital for a transfer after discovering a brain tumour, with staff told there were no beds for him.
Despite that, he was transferred to the PA, where he was ramped for four hours and suffered several seizures.
A day and a half after the first ambulance call, Ms Gemsik said her son received emergency surgery to remove part of the tumour.
'Memory got deleted'
Patrick Gemsik, speaking outside parliament, said he had serious brain damage and eyesight issues.
"Life's a lot harder. Visions impaired. Ability to recognise things is challenging," he said.
"Definitely a different story now from being a head pathway coach for Queensland Olympic skateboarding to now.
"My memory got deleted four months before the incident, and months after, short-term memory is pretty gone."
Ms Gemsik said she was considering legal action, and despite contacting them, had heard nothing from Metro South Health, nor had any meeting with anyone from the government.
Patrick Gemsik's mother, Gayle, said she saw her son deteriorate while waiting for care. (ABC News: Liz Pickering)
Appropriate care given
The opposition used most of parliament's Question Time to grill Mr Nicholls on Mr Gemsik's medical care.
Mr Nicholls, who at first was not familiar with the story, later clarified the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) and Metro South had made contact with the family to discuss the issue.
"This matter has been dealt with appropriately, compassionately by both the QAS and by Metro South," Mr Nicholls told parliament.
"And we seek to learn at all times. And if the care provided was not up to standard and the family feel that, then of course we seek to do better every time."
Mr Gemzik suffered several seizures while waiting for care at the PA. (ABC News: Chris Gillette)
Standing with the Gemsik's outside parliament, Opposition Leader Steven Miles said they were the faces of a strained health system.
"Our emergency departments are being forced to prioritise KPIs over patient care.
"It is a harrowing story of Patrick being passed like a hot potato for 36 hours. It should never have happened."
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