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from 07 may 2006 blue vol V, #4 |
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(Again) by Frances Misi
On Monday Benjy's girlfriend Emma assisted him to visit the Accident and Emergency Services and Benjamin was admitted to Conquest Hospital in Hastings, East Sussex and received treatment involving an intravenous drip. On Tuesday morning his girlfriend received a text message from Benjy, asking her to pick him up. On Wednesday Emma returned Benjy to Conquest Hospital and he received Amoxyllin Antibiotics and was told to come back on Thursday for a Chest X ray, which he did. He was also given a prescription with painkillers and because he could no longer swallow anything, due to the severely swollen throat, the paracetamol was prescribed in suppository format. Arthur, a friend of Benjy's picked up the medication on Friday from the conquest hospital pharmacy and was asked if the medication was for himself. He explained that the medication was for his friend and described Benjy's symptoms, particular that despite the Antibiotics, which Benjy could not swallow, his condition got alarmingly worse instead of better. The pharmacist advised to present Benjy for a review and explained that the painkillers are a temporary relief only, but will not fight the infection in itself effectively. Arthur explained the advice from the pharmacist to Benjy and since he was concerned at Benjy's deteriorating condition he insisted that Benjy was to return to hospital. Benjy explained that he was in great pain and very exhausted and did not feel able to make the journey to hospital. It was agreed that 1.5 hour later friends would return to Benjy's flat, in order to assist him with finding medical help. 1.5 hours later, there was no response at Benjy's door nor did he answer the telephone. Periodically, concern grew and between 5.30 -6.30 pm three of Benjys friends, namely Mlandeli Nkau, Bheki Nkomo and Celvin Ncube finally gained access to Benjys flat. He had a bucket next to his bed, which was full of traces of fresh light coloured blood, which Benjy had vomited and coughed up. They described the smell as horrendous and emptied the bucket, which was soon needed again by Benjy: who was continuously coughing and vomiting more blood. He was very weak, complaining of chest pain. The three friends first tried to call SEEDOC and failing this, decided to dial 999. The operator gave advice on how to position Benjy whilst they waited and within a few minutes an Ambulance arrived at No. 17 Pevensey Road, Flat 5, where Benjy lived. A male and female paramedic with name tags remembered as Paul and Joanne, entered the flat and stepped into the room, where Benjamin was sitting on his bed, supported by pillows. The paramedics stood at a distance of about 2 metres away from Benjy, whilst he tried to explain his symptoms. He struggled so much to speak that his friends took on the duty of speaking for him, explaining that Benjy was virtually
Without any physical examination Benjy and his friends were told in an unsympathetic manner that there was nothing that could be done to help Benjy. "A person can easily go without food for 3 weeks" and were advised that all Benjy had to do was to prepare boiled water and drink it whilst it was still warm. Benjys friends protested that they had witnessed that even with a straw Benjy was not able to swallow down anything and expressed their concern about dehydration. The male paramedic then approached Ben, merely pinching his skin without prior warning and seemly discontempt, dismissing the possibility of dehydration. Attempting to leave without any further care given, the friends argued with the paramedics, pointing out their concern that "anything can happen during the night" and that they wished for their friend to be admitted to the hospital whereby his condition could be adequately supervised and cared for. They explained that Benjy lived in the flat only with a tenant, whom they did not know well and due to other commitments nobody was available to stay with Benjy. Their worries were merely dismissed and ridiculed and the female paramedics said: "Even if we would bring him to hospital, he would maybe get a few extra pills, surely he would be send home straight away, so really there is no point!" According to the friends, the message implied that there were more or less wasting the paramedics' time, and felt that they had more important cases to attend than their ill friend. When the paramedics had left the flat, they were observed to sit for another 10-20 minutes in the ambulance prior to leaving the street. Everyone left behind felt confused and angry about the way they had been spoken to, the kind of disrespect for their opinions and the unsympathetic nature that their concerns were bluntly rejected. One of the friends reflected that "If we were not black, we probably would not have been treated in the same dismissive manner. It felt almost like they did not even want to examine or touch Benjy, just because of the colour of the skin" and everyone agreed. Following this the friends left Benjy. They agreed to return the following morning, having organised a lift, which would bring Benjy to the Hospital. The same evening Arthur passed by Benjy's flat at about 8-9pm, but there was no answer on the door or via his telephone. Emma had also called and received no response and she sent a friend to check on Benjy at around 10pm. At 11pm Benjy's tenant Emmanuel arrived at the flat and found Benjy sleeping in his bed. The following morning, Friday 17th of February 2006 he entered the shared kitchen and he found Benjy without any sign of life in the kitchen sofa and blood around his mouth. He promptly called an ambulance and once Benjy was officially pronounced as dead, the police was also called. PC Dicker dealt with the enquiries in a professional and compassionate manner which was greatly appreciated. Benjy's time of death was estimated to have occurred around 3-4am, merely 10 hours following the misguided judgements and what is believed to be gross misconduct of the said paramedics.
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