BY Shawn Bell
The Sachem
(September 20, 2007)
Sam Gualtieri, the sub-contractor who was injured in a clash with native protesters last week, was taken out of the Stirling Woods development to West Haldimand General Hospital. But his ordeal to get treatment for his injuries did not end there.
As Sam’s brother, Joe Gualtieri, explained, Sam arrived at West Haldimand General Hospital around 5:00 p.m. However, due to the location and force of his injuries, and the potential for lasting brain damage, the doctors in Hagersville would not treat Gualtieri until a CAT scan was done.
According to Joe, Doctor Cloete, who took charge of the patient, called every hospital in Ontario with the equipment to do a CAT scan. Not one hospital had a bed available. Finally, around 9:00 p.m., Doctor Cloete convinced Hamilton General to allow him to use their equipment on Gualtieri. The doctor had to assure Hamilton General that he (Cloete) would take responsibility for treating the patient.
So Gualtieri was loaded into an ambulance and, with Doctor Cloete following behind, driven to Hamilton General, where a CAT scan was done. Doctor Cloete treated the patient immediately afterwards. They all then returned by ambulance to Haldimand General Hospital.
“My brother could have died,” Joe Gualtieri said, “and there was not one hospital in Ontario that would admit him. I would like to tell this story to Micheal Moore and Dalton McGuinty, because both of them have their head in the sand about our health care system.”
He was taken to Norfolk General Hospital in Simcoe on Tuesday by ambulance for another CAT scan.
At press time Sam remained in critical condition at West Haldimand General Hospital in Hagersville.
He is now recouperating at home and speaking short sentences, can sit up and appears to be recovering.
Joe Gualteiri says his brother’s physical injuries will heal, but is worried that his brain injuries may leave some permanent damage. Gualteiri is now asking residents to attend a “Remember Us” march scheduled for Monday, October 8th from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Caledonia Lions Hall parking lot.
Speeches will run for about an hour, and then a flag raising across from Douglas Creek Estates will take place with Richmond Hill resident Gary McHale.