LETTER: Single mother shares hospital experience

I am deeply frustrated and feel compelled to share my story. My 15-year-old daughter began vomiting blood and was in excruciating pain. On Tuesday 3 September, I took her to Helderberg Hospital. We arrived at 17:18. Given that she is a minor and was vomiting blood, I believed this was a serious situation requiring urgent medical attention.

We sat in the waiting room alongside adults with stomach pains, stab wounds, and one unfortunate woman experiencing a miscarriage. For five hours, we were told that no doctors were available as they were all in the theatre. During this time, no-one was called or assisted. My daughter continued to vomit and eventually lay on the filthy floor, trying to find some comfort and sleep.

Just before midnight, we were finally called in. The doctor performed a quick examination and then informed me that I should leave my teenage daughter there for observation until morning. However, there were no beds available, and she would have to sit by herself in the waiting room for the rest of the night on uncomfortable chairs, still in pain. I refused, and after eight hours, we left with just a tablet for nausea.

I am disgusted, to say the least. Just because I am a single mother struggling to make ends meet and cannot afford medical aid, does my daughter not deserve proper medical care? Once again, we have been failed by the system.

Anonymous Abulele Dyasi, communications officer with the provincial Department of Health in Khayelitsha East Sub-structure, responds: “Western Cape Government Health and Wellness is sorry to hear one of our patients had a negative experience at our hospital. On the evening of 3 September, our emergency unit (EC) and medical team were under extreme pressure, attending to many patients triaged orange and red (life-threatening conditions and injuries). Due to the high number of life-threatening cases, no beds were available in the EC. Our records show that the patient was examined and triaged yellow (not life-threatening) by our medical team. The doctor prescribed medication and asked the patient to remain in the EC so that the team can monitor her while they secure a bed for her in the hospital. Unfortunately the patient chose to go home without her prescribed medication and before our team could secure a bed for her. We urge the patient to return to the hospital for assistance. We encourage all patients to please bring any issues or concerns to the attention of the facility manager while they are still at the facility, so that we can assist and support them.”