Family says woman died over fears she faced 25-hour hospital wait

A tragic incident involving the death of Briar Parfitt, a 40-year-old woman suffering from chronic pain, has sparked renewed debate over emergency healthcare services in New Zealand. Parfitt passed away on Saturday afternoon while traveling with her daughter to a nearby hospital, following a visit to the emergency department at Palmerston North Hospital. Her family claims she was informed of a potential 25-hour wait for treatment, prompting them to leave the hospital and seek quicker care elsewhere. However, Health New Zealand has stated that the average waiting time at the hospital on that day was only two hours, and that the facility was adequately staffed to handle the volume of patients.

According to reports, Parfitt had been experiencing severe pain due to complications from a previous surgery, which led to a condition known as complex regional pain syndrome. She regularly visited hospitals for relief and was under medication that included a combination of THC and methadone. Despite this, her family indicated that the pain remained unmanageable, and she was advised to return home for a brief period before deciding to seek further assistance.

The family’s decision to travel to Hawke's Bay Hospital was based on the belief that they would receive faster attention. While en route, Parfitt became unresponsive in the passenger seat of their vehicle, approximately 20 minutes from Palmerston North. After stopping in Woodville, an ambulance was summoned, but efforts to revive her proved unsuccessful. An autopsy was conducted, and the family awaits its findings. The incident has prompted emotional responses from the family, particularly from Colin Adkins, Parfitt's father, who described the loss as deeply personal and devastating.

Health New Zealand has issued a statement regarding the situation, asserting that the emergency department at Palmerston North Hospital was fully staffed and that the average wait time was significantly less than what the family was told. The agency also noted that the patient was triaged upon arrival and called for assessment within 90 minutes. However, the patient was not present during these calls, indicating possible delays or miscommunication in the process. The case has been referred to the coroner for further investigation.

The family has expressed frustration and anger, questioning the accuracy of the information provided to Parfitt and the overall efficiency of the healthcare system. Colin Adkins criticized the situation, stating that if he had known the wait would be shorter, his daughter would have remained at the hospital. He also highlighted the broader implications of such incidents, noting that similar tragedies have occurred in the past, including a recent case at Waikato Hospital where a patient died in a toilet. This has fueled calls for systemic improvements to ensure patient safety and timely care.

As the family mourns their loss, they remain hopeful that the incident will lead to meaningful changes in how emergency care is managed. Their story underscores the critical importance of accurate communication between healthcare providers and patients, as well as the need for continued investment in emergency services to prevent future tragedies. The ongoing investigation into Parfitt's death may provide further insights into the challenges facing emergency departments and the urgent need for reform.