Girl in 'critical condition' after being left on hospital floor
The family of a Sydney teenager who was forced to lie on a hospital floor awaiting care, says her condition is now critical.
But Campbelltown Hospital says 17-year-old Demi Ellul's condition has been upgraded from stable to serious.
'News Limited'' is reporting that Demi started convulsing and was rushed into emergency surgery.
Earlier today, the hospital apologised to Demi's family after the teen was forced to spend a night on the floor whilst suffering appendicitis.
She spent nine hours on the floor of the hospital's emergency department with only a blanket, given to her three hours after her mother asked for one.
NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner also says she "regrets the incident" in which Demi was left untreated and in agonising pain.
"I regret that this young patient and her family were distressed by her treatment in Campbelltown Hospital," she said.
"The hospital has apologised, which is appropriate."
Her mother had given the hospital a note saying her daughter was suffering from suspected appendicitis, News Limited reports.
But she was forced to take her daughter home without treatment and returned the following morning when she was immediately given morphine for severe pain.
But because of the delay, Demi now can't be operated on for two weeks and must stay in hospital on antibiotics until the inflammation has reduced.
Ms Skinner defended hospital staff on Thursday and said the hospital was "very busy".
"I know its staff strive very hard to make sure every patient receives the most timely, high quality care possible."
Opposition health spokesman Andrew McDonald has blamed the government for the incident, accusing it of closing wards and shutting down hospital beds.
