Montfort Hospital investigates conduct of ER staff

Ottawa's Montfort Hospital has launched an internal investigation into the behaviour of some of its emergency room staff after an elderly patient said he was ignored for hours.

Yatendra Varshni, 76, was sent to hospital from his nursing home after concerns arose about his heart rate Friday afternoon.

Varshni told CTV Ottawa Monday he was left in the waiting room in great discomfort for about nine hours.

"I was so miserable, tired and in pain on the wheelchair. Some people, other patients they tried to help me by giving me water and a blanket. I am angry that patients can be treated this way," he said.

Hospital officials apologized for the situation Monday night.

"We're very sorry that that situation happened to that patient. It was not a very good experience for him and we're very sorry for that," said Marc Joyal, vice president of the Montfort Hospital.

"We're looking into the situation to try to understand what happened and then follow-up with meeting with the patient himself to understand his condition."

Varshni, a professor emeritus at the University of Ottawa, said he understands hospitals get busy but feels the pain he suffered was unnecessary.

Wait times at the hospital can range from three to 12 hours.