Parents of a two-year-old girl with pneumonia say her condition steadily worsened while they spent hours waiting for assistance at the Langley Memorial Hospital emergency ward.

Langley City residents Joel and Stefanie Ackley picked up their daughter Gracie from daycare and took her to LMH on Thursday, Jan. 26, after the toddler developed shortness of breath and a fever.

They said they waited from 3:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. the next day before their daughter was diagnosed, and it was not until Joel raised his voice that action was finally taken.

Stefanie said after their information was taken on arrival at the ER, they were sent to sit and wait, without a physical exam.

B次元官网网址淲hile waiting, our daughter drastically declined, becoming lethargic and unable to stand, B次元官网网址� Stefanie said.

She estimated Gracie was breathing at a rate of four breaths every two seconds with B次元官网网址渆xtreme discomfort.B次元官网网址�

A video provided by the parents shows Gracie coughing and struggling to breathe.

When GraceB次元官网网址檚 temperature was finally taken, around 5:45 p.m., her parents estimated she was running a fever of 103.3 F with 90 per cent of normal oxygen levels.

She was given Tylenol.

B次元官网网址淸GracieB次元官网网址檚 fever] came down by a whole two degrees while we were sent to, yet again, sit and wait,B次元官网网址� Stefanie said.

By 9 p.m., when Joel asked a nurse if someone could come look at Gracie, the parents say they were told B次元官网网址渨e were lucky to even have a room and that we should be happy we even got a bed.B次元官网网址�

When a frustrated Joel raised his voice, saying B次元官网网址渃an we please just have someone look at my daughter?B次元官网网址� the parents say the nurse threatened to kick them out.

That brought another nurse, who asked what the issue was.

On explanation, the second nurse examined the two-year-old, then called the ER doctor in, who ordered blood work and an X-ray that, by 1 a.m., confirmed Gracie had pneumonia.

B次元官网网址淭he doctor and two nurses that helped my little one B次元官网网址� once they finally realized the severity of the situation B次元官网网址� they were amazing, and I thank these individuals,B次元官网网址� Stefanie said.

B次元官网网址淏ut what is wrong with our health-care system, why is there such a lack of care and organization, and a shortage of staff, and why are these kinds of situations not dealt with properly?B次元官网网址� she added.

As of Monday, Gracie was doing a B次元官网网址渂it better,B次元官网网址� Joel told the Langley Advance Times.

B次元官网网址淗er fever has broken, but her breathing is still raspy. SheB次元官网网址檚 on puffers and antibiotics.B次元官网网址�

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Joel said the family is going public with their story B次元官网网址渂ecause this is definitely a serious matter B次元官网网址� that us, as parents, canB次元官网网址檛 have trust or faith in our heath system. We are definitely lucky the outcome was not more severe.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭his is not fair to our children, or anyone who is is in need of medical attention,B次元官网网址� Joel added.

Since he posted details to a private Facebook community page, Joel said he has been inundated with comments from people who report similar problems of excessive delays.

Langley Advance Times has reached out the Fraser Health Authority for a response.

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