I Was Left to Choke on My Own Vomit at Life Rosepark Hospital While Nurses Ignored Me

Formal Incident Report and Complaint: Professional Misconduct and Patient Neglect at LIFE HEALTH CARE – Rosepark hospital Patient: Pinky Mokemane Ward: Orthopaedic Ward - Room 8 Date of incident: 03 October 2025 (Night) Date of report: 04 October 2025 (Morning) Hospital: Life Health Care - Rosepark Hospital Nurses involved: Enrolled Nurse Jabulile Nkamo and Sister Elloise Gouws Night Matron informed: Sister Phillelisa Jonas Unit Manager (not yet engaged): Sister Pat Summary of Incident On the night of 03 October 2025, while admitted to Life Rosepark Hospital with an open fracture on my right foot following a motorbike accident, I experienced an extremely distressing and unsafe incident involving Enrolled Nurse Jabulile Nkamo. At the time, Nurse Nkamo was taking my blood pressure and pulse. Both my bedside rails were down, and the remote control to adjust my bed was not available to me, leaving me completely unable to lift myself up. Shortly after taking my prescribed medication, which included a syrup to assist with bowel movement and several other tablets, I began to feel nauseous and started to vomit. The syrup, which I had struggled to swallow and which was later taken back by the nurses, was the same medication that came up along with the rest of what I had taken. Some of the vomit splashed onto Nurse Nkamo. Her reaction was completely unprofessional and emotionally distressing. She became angry and asked why I had vomited on her, showing no empathy or concern for my condition. She then walked out of the room, leaving me completely unattended for approximately ten minutes. During that time, I remained in a highly vulnerable state, unable to move or reach for help. 2 While she was away, I could hear her interacting with Sister Elloise Gouws, and from what I could tell, Sister Gouws was reprimanding her about how she had reacted in a situation, and I assumed it was involving me. When Nurse Nkamo finally returned, she came to the right side of my bed, took toilet paper from the window sill, and started wiping herself while still complaining about what had happened. She continued to raise her voice, repeatedly asking “why did you vomit on me” instead of focusing on my condition. I told her that as a nurse she should understand that patients can have adverse reactions to medication, but she ignored me and carried on arguing. I was still vomiting, unable to lift myself, and struggling to breathe as the vomit came out through both my nose and mouth. Despite seeing this, she did not bring a vomit bowl or assist me. When I pressed the nurse call bell for help, she tried to switch it off. I told her I did not want her help and that I needed another nurse. I pressed the bell again, and that is when Sister Gouws came in. She immediately understood the situation and brought a vomit bowl, holding it up while I vomited further, from my nose and mouth. She acted quickly and professionally, which likely prevented a much more serious situation. Because of my open fracture, I could not sit up or shift my body properly. I genuinely felt like I might choke on my own vomit. The toilet paper that Nurse Nkamo used to wipe herself down remains on the window sill afterwards, as I write this compliant, which for me symbolises the lack of care and professionalism shown that night. Sister Mantoa came to assist in cleaning me up, and both she and Sister Gouws checked on me and asked if I needed anything else. Their professionalism was the only comforting part of an otherwise frightening and unsafe experience. This incident represents a serious breach of the South African Nursing Council’s Code of Ethics. The Code requires nurses to treat patients with dignity, respect, and compassion, and to prioritise their safety and wellbeing. It also obliges nurses to maintain composure and professionalism in all circumstances. Nurse Nkamo’s conduct fell completely short of these obligations. This behaviour also raises serious concerns about the standards of nursing care and supervision at Life Rosepark Hospital. When a nurse leaves a vulnerable patient unattended, argues with them while they are unwell, and fails to act with basic compassion, it reflects not only individual negligence but systemic failure. This is reputationally damaging to Life Rosepark Hospital and undermines public trust in its care standards. 3 What I experienced reflects a worrying disregard for patient safety and dignity, the kind of behaviour that, if left unchecked, leads to the very failures South Africans have seen exposed in other healthcare scandals. It also concerns me that I have previously requested meetings with the unit manager, Sister Pat, on two separate occasions to discuss earlier concerns about patient care. Both times she assured me she would come to see me, but she has still not done so. This shows a pattern of patient concerns not being taken seriously or escalated appropriately. I informed both Sister Gouws and the night matron, Sister Phillelisa Jonas, about the incident. When Sister Jonas came to see me early on the morning of 04 October 2025, she apologised and acknowledged that this was a conduct issue, saying she would take it up further. I also made it clear to both of them that my hospital roommate, Charne, was a witness to everything. She confirmed that Nurse Nkamo shouted and left me unattended for about ten minutes before returning. This was one of the worst experiences I have ever had in a hospital. I have been here for over eight nights recovering from an open fracture and struggling with trauma from a motorbike accident. I am awaiting another major surgical procedure, and now I am filled with anxiety about staying longer in an environment where such behaviour is tolerated. Instead of focusing on healing, I am left feeling unsafe, disrespected, and fearful that something similar could happen again. I was completely vulnerable, unable to move or breathe properly, and yet treated as though I had done something wrong by having a physical reaction to my medication. If Sister Gouws had not come to assist me when she did, I could have drowned on my own vomit. That thought alone shows how dangerous this was and how badly my safety was compromised. My doctor left me here believing I was in safe and capable hands, but this experience has shown otherwise. I am requesting that a formal investigation be launched into the conduct of Enrolled Nurse Jabulile Nkamo on the night of 03 October 2025. I am also reporting the matter to the South African Nursing Council, copied, as a breach of professional ethics and patient safety obligations. I am asking for a written response from Life Rosepark Hospital management explaining: 1. Why I was left unattended and denied assistance while in clear medical distress. 4 2. 3. Why previous concerns have not been followed up despite assurances from the unit manager. What specific steps will be taken to ensure this kind of conduct does not happen again. I also ask for assurance that I will not face any retaliation or compromised care as a result of raising this complaint. I want to acknowledge and thank Sisters Gouws, Mantoa, and Jonas for their professionalism, compassion, and responsiveness. They exemplified the kind of care and humanity that every patient deserves. However, what I experienced at the hands of Nurse Nkamo represents a serious ethical and professional failure. Life Rosepark Hospital has a duty to ensure that its patients are treated with dignity and care at all times. This incident shows that urgent intervention and accountability are needed to restore trust in the quality of care provided here. Sincerely, Pinky Mokemane Orthaepedic Ward: Room 8 Dated: 04 October 2025