Life Parklands Hospital, Springs bad news lately

On the 21st of March 2024, my 14 months daughter fell and her lips got a deep cut. I rushed her to Parklands Hospital. When we arrived at casualty with the bleeding baby. They told me to sit on the chairs, open the file and only then they attended my baby. The process took 1hr and 30min. I kept asking myself if they did not see any urgency in that? Well I thought that maybe it is because of the public holiday. Maybe they were understaffed.

We were admitted and at Peads ward. Second shift nurses were so slow and not communicating anything. I was told not to feed the baby as she will be going to theatre. The other nurse came and said i can feed the baby. We were supposed to go to theatre at 19h30pm, but it did not happen, no communication. The next thing the drip came off and we spent 2 hrs without a drip. I asked how is my daughter going to get water and strength without a drip as I was not allowed to even breast feed. The nurse said the drip will be put back by theatre stuff. I was disappointed because this hospital has been one of the best in the east rand. Finally we went to theatre and Dr was clear that after surgery we can stay 2 hrs and go home, but cos we did the procedure late, he said first thing in the morning we should get discharged even if he is not there. I informed the nurses after theatre, again at 7h30AM. They only discharged us at 10h30AM.

On the 26th of March 2023. My 5yrs old boy had a seizure while he was in daycare centre. They gave him first aid and he was not responding. I went there I saw he needed medical attention as he had a long seizure. We rushed and we got to Parklands. I told them the baby is having a fit. Same thing happened, was told to sit there on the queue. I mean who does that on an Epileptic child who is still asleep and in need of help? We spent 1hr30m without getting help and the baby regained consciousness while there. Then there came in a white guy with a child who had a nose bleed, they attended him immediately and when I saw that I cancelled and went back home.

If the system has changed, why not inform the patients? Back in the days, you would open the file while the patient is getting at least first line assistance. Now you will sit in those chairs until 1.5hrs passes.

I am disappointed in Parklands Hospital.