In the referral the date with the time of the heart visit was clear: October 16th at 2pm , as always in the pediatric cardiology department, “San Michele” hospital, Brotzu hospital in Cagliari. It's a shame, however, that when the patient arrived, after 450 kilometers by car , he was informed that the visit had been scheduled for ten o'clock. Which is why it could no longer be visited.
The bad adventure happened to Davide Pudda, a Cabras resident . The person who needed to be examined was his 17-year-old son, who had a heart condition since birth. The boy undergoes this visit several times a year, depending on needs.
« This was an important check - explains father Davide -. For heart patients, the age most at risk is adolescence, but unfortunately in the hospital they gave us the boot. Sick people cannot be treated this way ."
When Davide Pudda and his son arrived at Brotzu they first queued at the reception desk, then as always they were transferred to the radiology clinics where the boy had to undergo a CT scan. « They made me sign all the consent forms - he says -, then, shortly before my son entered the machine, the radiologist informed me that he could not continue with the visit because the hospital check-up was at a different time . This despite my busyness. To get to Brotzu I traveled about 450 kilometres. I left from Cabras where I live to reach Orotelli where my son lives and then go to Cagliari . I also explained this fact, which is not negligible. In addition to the cost of petrol and the lost day of work. But they didn't want to know."
At that point the boy's father asked to speak to the doctor who has always looked after his son, who was in another department at the time: «I explained the situation and after various discussions they understood, seeing as I had the evidence in hand, and that is, the commitment, that the mistake was not mine. In the end I decided to leave, disappointed, bitter and tired of arguing. I will make a complaint to the Public Prosecutor's Office. People must be respected. Especially those who are ill."
In the meantime, the boy has not yet been examined. «Since that day we have been trying to get on line to book a new visit - says Davide Pudda -. Unfortunately that machine can only be found at Brotzu."