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And Finally Artist News
Mike Portnoy apologises after NHS hospital rant
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 10 March 2015
Mike Portnoy has apologised for offence caused after he ranted about a British hospital not prioritising treatment for a mystery illness in order to allow him to get to a show on time.
The former Dream Theater drummer, who is currently performing with The Neal Morse Band, was taken to hospital by ambulance on Saturday evening, telling fans that he hoped to be back in time to take the stage.
Two hours later, he posted a new update: “A very special NO THANKS to the staff at the Whittington Hospital for NOT seeing me regardless of telling them that there is an audience waiting for our show to begin – I finally left withOUT seeing a doctor in order to make tonight’s show. I have no idea how the hell I’m going to make it through this show. I can’t even stand up or lift my arms”.
As some on his Facebook page pointed out that hospitals prioritise seeing people by the seriousness of their illness rather than the size of their audience, he responded by telling said people that their “hate” was going to get them blocked.
But he later published a statement in which he apologised for any offence caused, saying that his anger came out frustration after the ambulance he was being taken to hospital in ran out of petrol en route and then, when he did make it to A&E, he was given no clear indication of when he might expect to be seen by a doctor.
“At 7.45, I had to make the decision to continue to wait and cancel the show or leave without being seen in order to make the 8pm show”, he wrote. “I desperately did NOT want to disappoint the fans and made the decision to leave in order to make the show. I played the show in the worst physical condition of my life”.
He added: “I’m sure you can imagine how frustrating this experience was and I stupidly posted about it on my social media. I am shocked and appalled at some of the rude and downright nasty comments that have been posted in the wake of this – really, ten times worse than my post. It’s sad to see such hatred but whatever, I can suck it up and take it. I surely never meant for such attention and controversy”.
So, there you go. We’ve all learned that when struck down by some sort of apparent paralysis, you shouldn’t expect to be able to get to hospital, receive treatment and return to do you physically demanding job in under 90 minutes. Who could have guessed?
