JL
Janine L

1 reviews | Active since Jun 2020

14 Jan 2026, 11:08

Life Wilgeheuwel Hospital unnecessary tests and no help

On Friday I went through to casualty at Life Wilgeheuwel hospital due to a severe back spasm, I told them it was a back spasm as it was not the first time I had had this happen, I expected to get a muscle relaxant injection and be sent on my way. Despite me telling the doctors exactly what was wrong with me they insisted on sending me for and MRI and X-ray, completely unnecessarily!! They admitted me over night (for a back spasm) gave me a ton of medication including fentanyl and morphine which I declined then I was discharged the next day, the doctor who discharged me didn’t even have my MRI and so didn’t even look at it before I left. Why then was it insisted that I needed it if the doctor didn’t even look at it???? I was discharged with more medication and not given any clear idea of what they thought was wrong or a way forward. Back home, still in pain I made an appointment with the physio who confirmed it was a muscle spasm and gave me a clear way forward. To make matters worse the MRI was deducted from my medical savings, savings I usually keep to pay for medication for my special needs child. R9000 rand deducted from my medical savings for a procedure I did not need. I’m am livid. 10k less in my savings and discharged still in pain and with no clear way forward or even what they thought the problem was. I will be taking this up with the ombudsman because I cannot believe this whole ordeal and costly tests I did not need. I am horrified.

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Replies (2)
Life Healthcare
Life Healthcare's reply14 Jan 2026, 16:06
Official
Dear Janine L, Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Please send your contact details by following this link, https://lifebrand.goreview.co.za/goreview-crm?revid=2XmED7Wj so we can escalate this to the relevant facility manager who can engage with you directly and address the matter with the doctor. We would appreciate the opportunity to find out about your experience. Please could you supply your contact details by following the link, https://lifebrand.goreview.co.za/goreview-crm?revid=2XmED7Wj so that your feedback can be escalated to the relevant Department? We do hope to turn this around for you. Many thanks, Life Healthcare
JL
Janine L's update20 Jan 2026, 08:43
Reviewer Update
I am adding a correction that this whole exercise cost R9000 not just the MRI