ER24 - Compliment & Thanks

I am writing to highlight the excellent service and care that we received from various ER24 ambulance units called to assist my family during our hour of desperate need for my husband Michael.

I arrived in South Africa on Thursday 16 February 2023 from London, and was distressed to find my husband uncommunicative and in severe distress caused by considerable pain. As he was unable to swallow no medication could be administered for the pain

After being advised by the office of our palliative doctor, Dr Craig Howes, that they would only be able to assist us by sending out the duty sister at 12:00 the following day, I called “GP for Home Visits”. I was told that they were unable to interfere with a doctor who was already assigned to a patient. I asked them if they had any advice; I was desperate, my husband urgently needed assistance for pain management and I was unable to get him to the hospital. She suggested that I call ER24.

After logging a call and going through the various telephonic procedures a unit was dispatched. The first team to arrive assessed the situation and based on my husband's condition suggested that they call out Wiets Botha and his team, as they would be able to manage his pain without having to take him to hospital.

Wiets came out with his team. These teams were incredibly efficient and provided us with much needed emotional support and compassionate palliative care ensuring my husband’s utmost comfort. Wiets and his team assured us that should we require any further assistance we should just pick up the phone. Unfortunately this was the case and a new team attended to us twice during the night.

We would like to thank all the paramedics who attended for their professionalism and exceptional service in the face of our family’s despair. We would recommend their services to those in need.

With heartfelt thanks

The Kruger Family.