TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE

On 17 October 2022 my dad, 77, seriously ill visited Helen Joseph Hospital. He does not have a medical aide and arrived a the ER at 07:00. He sat in ER for about 14 hours, with a bleeding and leaking drip. After 4 doctors, 3 blood tests, 2 ECGs and numerous urine tests, without a single result, we took him home at 21:15. Not once throughout the day, did he received feedback or communication regarding any of the tests that was done. We requested a nurse at some point to assist with the drip that was leaking, because more fluid was landing on the floor rather than flowing into my dad's hand which was also bleeding. Her response was that the doctor must assist because she is not able to. At 21:15, after sitting on a plastic chair for 14 hours, we decided to take him home.

It was the most traumatic day, with mentally ill patients lying in the corridor in between the other ER patients. The dirt and bad smell of the place stayed with us for days afterwards. And most of all the way sick people are dealt with, is absolutely heart breaking. My heart goes out to the people who has no option but to go the Helen Joseph ER.