Doctors and staff have been doxxed, abused and harassed online since the incident, with a community Facebook moderator calling on users to “think carefully” before posting photos as some images showed ex-staff unconnected to the incident.
In a statement released through a PR firm today, Patel said the clinic was a single-doctor practice with one nurse.
“At the time of the incident, I, along with our nurse, was in surgery with a patient, and unaware of the emergency situation,” he said.
“We believe there was a misunderstanding around what was being requested and what was happening outside at that time.”
Patel said that once his team became “aware that there was a situation happening outside the practice, they called an ambulance and tried to help by providing any assistance required”.
“I am undertaking a full review with my team, and relevant authorities, to understand the events leading up to the man’s passing.”
While Patel could not provide further comment during the review, he said the clinic was “always willing to help in an emergency situation”.
Patel said he had been a proud member of the Mt Albert community for several years and had also worked as a doctor in East Tāmaki for a number of years.
“We care deeply about our community and the privileged role we carry in healthcare.”
Mt Albert Medical Centre remained open during its usual hours, the statement said.
The clinic’s website appears to have been deactivated and its Facebook page made private.
A Mt Albert Community Facebook page moderator urged users over the weekend to hold anyone found responsible to account, while respecting those who were not involved.
Mt Albert Medical and Dental Centre is a single doctor and nurse practice. Photo / Google Street View
After the death, there had been a number of posts showing names and photos from the centre’s website. The moderator said: “I understand the anger, frustration and outrage surrounding this incident.
“However, please be aware that the website contains photographs of former employees who have not worked at the centre for several years (in some cases more than 4 years).”
Some posts had led to people “being identified and personally attacked despite having no current association with the centre”, the moderator said.
“Racist comments, harassment, doxing, and personal attacks of ex employees will not be tolerated in this group.”
He asked the community to direct its energy towards the appropriate people and processes.
“Please think carefully before sharing someone’s name or photograph, particularly if you haven’t verified their involvement.”
‘Ethical obligation’ to respond to emergencies
The Medical Council of New Zealand’s website says doctors have “an ethical obligation” to respond promptly if needed for a medical emergency.
“If you choose not to attend a medical emergency, you must be able to justify your decision,” the council’s statement on expected standards, titled “Medical emergencies – a doctor’s duty to help”, says.
The statement says it may not be practical for doctors to attend a medical emergency if another doctor is closer or can respond faster.
“Failing to attend a medical emergency simply because it is inconvenient for you is unacceptable and may result in disciplinary action,” the statement says.
“It is good practice to document your reasons for not attending a medical emergency, in case your decision is queried at a later date.”
Police earlier confirmed the man’s sudden death happened on New North Rd at 4.25pm, and there were no suspicious circumstances. The death had been referred to the coroner.
‘We can’t help’
Former anaesthetic technician Leoni McInroe said she and several others had tried to save the man.
McInroe had been at her shop Everlasting and Co when she saw CPR being performed on a man nearby.
When she got to the scene, she was told an ambulance had been called and a young couple had been refused help from the medical centre metres away, McInroe said.
“A young woman said … [she’d] asked and they said, ‘No, it’s not our patient, we can’t help’.
“I know for a fact that one, they’re under oath, [and] two, if you know it’s a medical emergency – unless someone in that practice is … keeping someone alive in there – you just say, ‘Sorry, I just need a minute’.
“[But] nobody attended, not one person.”
The couple who found the man later told McInroe he initially had a faint pulse and unusual breathing.
She was also told the medical centre refused a request for a defibrillator but one was provided by Anytime Fitness gym, McInroe said.
“I knew that he was deceased when I arrived. There was no pulse. But obviously you continue until someone appropriate calls that.”
As she and another bystander performed CPR, McInroe asked someone to get a pillow from the medical centre, as the man’s head was “bashing on the concrete”, but the person told her the medical centre had said no.
The person took one anyway, McInroe said.
A request for a blanket was also refused by the medical centre, she said.
The Medical Council of New Zealand’s chair, Dr Ken Clark, earlier said it couldn’t comment on whether any notifications or complaints had been received about an individual doctor, or on individual cases, because of privacy.
A Health and Disability Commissioner spokesperson said it couldn’t comment on individual complaints without a privacy waiver from all involved.
“However, a brief search of our database couldn’t find a complaint that matched that description.”