Bronkhorstspruit Hospital turns sick patient away without help

A patient showing signs of a heart attack was allegedly turned away at the Bronkhorstspruit Hospital without medical assistance.

HOSPITAL TELLS PATIENT TO GO WITHOUT ASSISTANCE

According to the Democratic Alliance (DA), this patient was told to drive almost 50 kilometers to another hospital in Pretoria.

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Nicola Du Plessis, MPL – DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Health, says the sick patient was told by staff at the Bronkhorstspruit Hospital to drive to the Mamelodi District Hospital in Pretoria.

“The community and surrounding areas have been complaining that they are being denied access to health care services at this hospital,” says Du Plessis.

THE HOSPITAL ONLY ASSISTS 87 PATIENTS A DAY

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“During the DA’s oversight inspection of the Bronkhorstspruit Hospital, we discovered that the hospital looked well-maintained, and the processes seemed within the bounds of an average state hospital. However, we found that all that glitters is not gold.”

Nicola Du Plessis

According to Du Plessis, patients are told to park outside the hospital premises regardless of their medical conditions before being attended to by medical personnel. This is although there is open parking inside the hospital precinct reserviced for staff members.

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She says the hospital only services 87 patients per day, and the patients that arrive after the hospital has reached number 87 are being turned away.

“Furthermore, it is questionable that a 200-bed hospital only has 31 admitted patients and casualties of only four patients during our oversight inspection.”

Nicola Du Plessis

HOSPITAL TURNS SICK BOY AWAY

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Du Plessis says they saw two patients left for hours without assistance. It was a boy with a high fever and another with a swollen upper abdomen. There was no triage or a formal written report in their file despite receiving paracetamol and an unknown injection.

Both patients were told to go home and return the following day. This is even though only four patients were admitted to casualty then.

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BRONKHORSTSPRUIT HOSPITAL HAS MANY EMPTY BEDS

Du Plessis says they have submitted written questions to the Gauteng MEC for Health, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. They want her to ascertain why sick patients are being turned away without medical assistance at Bronkhorstspruit Hospital.

“We will also closely monitor the complaints of patients being denied access to health care services at this hospital and ensure that those implicated are held to account.”

Nicola Du Plessis

The DA encourages patients to come forward anonymously, as they fear prejudice resulting from their complaints.

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