Life Wilgers Hospital Review for the period 25 February 2024 to 15 March 2024

To whom it may concern,

My review/feedback is phrased around the hospital itself, including the services of all practitioners that attended to me during my stay at this hospital.

ER; General Ward; and High Care

Early hours of 25th Feb 2024, I got admitted at ER Life Wilgers due to some abdominal problems. This morning, there was a tall dark Tsonga gentleman who did my drip, he was on night shift and provided excellent service. I must commend him.

I, however, got negligently discharged by the 2 lady DRs who were on duty that morning (Black and a White Dr) but had to return to the same hospital some 20 minutes later as I was now having an unbearable pain. Consequently got sent for CT scan, was later admitted and moved to the general ward on an even date.

The General Ward appeared to be a little ward for me but had 6 beds and we had 2x toilets and 1 shower. As such, the room was too crowded for me compared to the previous Mediclinics I’ve visited. You can just picture the ward with 2 visitors for each patient of the 6 beds at a time. The congestion, too disastrous.

Got operated and moved to High Care on 28 Feb 2024. On my return from High Care to the General Ward on 12 March 2024, I got to enjoy a very lovely private room. Michelle, Ruth and Mashudu from the general ward were pretty much active on duty and very helpful during my stay.

Regarding the High Care ward, I noticed that 99 percent of the young nurses at this ward are pretty much active on duty (they came at night) and are very helpful/proactive (i.e. Mpho Mulaudzi; Jeanete Komape and the other 3 athletic built/tall guys). While some of the old nurses don’t have respect for anybody and will low key humiliate or soft ghost you (i.e. the lady/sister who handed me over to the general ward on 12 March 2024) and the one with oversized eyewear always did this. Very mean, unapproachable, and rude ladies.

What I hated about the high care ward is that they keep all genders in one room (males and females). I think I counted +- 20 beds in this ward, with only 2x toilets and 2x showers shared between mobile patients and staff. There’s no privacy in this ward even though they pull curtains and use some draping to decrease the amount of exposure, I would often see male patients getting out of the toilet with their bums exposed.

Also, in this hospital they care so much about billing patients for the use of materials; medicines and catheters to such an extent that when my catheter was removed, I was told by 2 different nurses to use the bedpan so that they can measure my pee and faeces/stool for purposes of billing me (how humiliating). It got worse one night when I was overdosed with meds on my drip, I could hear one nurse saying in the background that she would just use all meds on me as she had already ordered and could not take it back as she had already been billed. After a few minutes my heart started beating very fast and everything was just spinning, hence I say I was overdosed to push the hospital sales! How shocking.

I also noted some elements of bad treatment of the elderly by the nurses who would become very impatient and only act nice in the presence of such patients’ families.

Hopefully things will improve.

Dr Jurgens Leipoldt

I battle to find words to describe the amazing work and my total satisfaction with Dr Jurgens Leipoldt’ work (General surgeon).

My case was very complicated due to a previous desmoid tumor excursion and a subsequent radiation therapy done around my abdominal area in 2018. This left me with a very terrible hernia and my initial surgeon had decided to refer me to a hernia specialist at Mediclinic Midstream. The Midstream surgeon had advised against opening my abdominal area to repair the hernia due to the sensitivity of my abdominal area and only gave me an abdominal belt to help ease abdominal hernia pain. He concluded that he could only operate “as a matter of life and death”.

I would often get minor strangulation, and this became a norm to such an extent that my family knew that when this occurred, I should be rushed to ER. I would then be okay after vomiting/ diarrhea or a drip. Unfortunately, I lived this life for +- 6 years. This frustrated me as all I ever wanted was a permanent solution to my health condition.

I was introduced and attended to by Dr Leipoldt at the General Ward.

I was very worried, but a lady nurse (Ruth) and Mashudu assured me that everything would be alright as long as I am under Dr Leipoldt’ care. Dr Leipoldt came to see me every day and would ask all the right questions, I guess he was researching my case at this stage. He was simultaneously trying a non-surgical treatment on me and also sending me for bloods and scans.

On 27 Feb 2024, Dr Leipoldt came to see and said, “it’s going to be hard, but I think we should operate if you permit”. On this day, I could tell that Dr Leipoldt had chosen to remain professional and positive as he wanted me to feel comfortable, but he was equally filled with questions and concerns about the surgery. On my side, it became imminent that surgery was very critical but dangerous. I immediately agreed to have an operation - firstly because at this stage I knew I was in very capable hands and also because this was the only approach to help deal with my condition for good!

I was finally operated on 28 Feb 2024. Everything was a success, no one had to tell me this as I could see from my surgeon’s face when he visited me at the ward later that day. Dr Leipoldt monitored me closely as I was recuperating in hospital until I was discharged on 15 March 2024 and continues to do so. He referred me to a professional wound care specialist nurse (Janette Nel) for care, but I see him as and when there is a need.

Having had this operation has drastically changed my life in a good way. My bowel is now operating like a blue train 😊. I have no issues at all!

Dr Leipoldt is truly the best in the business. Professional from start to finish and I could not have wished for a better outcome. He is one of those considerate, gentle and kind souls. One writer said: “He is the strong silent type; a bit shy but totally efficient” - I agree 100%. He also presents qualities such as deep empathy, excellent listening skills, and the ability to focus deeply on his work. Despite being shy, he is extremely caring and made me feel very comfortable and safe around him. I would 100 percent recommend him.

I am so grateful and very glad that I trusted Dr Leipoldt with this procedure, I don't regret a thing!

Thank you, Dr Leipoldt, for the professional way you handled my complicated case. I commend you and your staff for the warm treatment.

Forever grateful,

Sr Janette Nel

I started seeing Sister Janette Nel as my wound care specialist nurse, effective 15 March 2024. She attended to my wound at the general ward, prior to my discharge at Life Wilgers Hospital. We have been doing wound care every 2-3 days since my discharge from hospital.

From my observation and interaction with her, I noted that Sr Janette is passionate; enthusiastic; very patient; professional; keen; pays meticulous attention to detail; and of course, is a very friendly/caring lady.

I’ve had my bad days particularly when I went for my follow-up appointments as I felt like my body was failing me considering that my wound was taking a considerable time to heal. In the face of all these overwhelming challenges, Sr Janette was able to preserve; reassure me that everything will be okay as I am in good hands and provided me with support, love, and continued treatment.

I can confidently say that Sr Janette is the BEST wound care professional. To date, I have and continue to receive best care from Sr Janette. Being under her care has been very wonderful and her communication/prioritization skills are just too great.

Sr Janette also took care of a dog bite wound on my son's knee at no cost despite my insistence to be invoiced for these services which were professionally rendered. God bless you Sr J.

Meyer J F Inc/ Hanlie Meyer (Physiothe******)

Hanlie from Meyer J F Inc (Physiothe******) came to see me the day before my procedure and advised that she would be assisting me with physio activities; gave me tips on what to expect after theater; and demonstrated to me how I should get off bed after the operation. I felt well informed and in good hands.

Soon after the procedure, I was moved to the High Care unit. At this stage I had persistent pain, weakness, swelling and a range of motion limitations. All I wanted at this stage was someone to immediately help me return to my previous activities, i.e. being mobile. I wanted the catheter out; wanted nothing to do with bed bathing and/or bedpan as I know my body is very prone to infections.

The physio returned in the morning following my procedure. I was not up for anything on this day, but she massaged me; helped me with breathing exercises; helped me to get off my bed and we took our first walk. We would do this twice every day and after my 4th session post op the catheter was removed, and I started bathing in the shower and Hanlie was also shocked that we managed to achieve this within a short space of time. What a relief

Hanlie always left me in awe, she has a small but strong and fit body. She immediately puts you at ease, is very friendly, knowledgeable, professional, respectful, patient and calming, great commutator, and a good listener (I would vent and express my frustrations to her, and we also shared loads of good laughter). My husband enjoyed watching us walk and couldn’t stop commending her on the good work she was doing.

Big thumbs up to Meyer J F Inc, Hanlie and team 👍

Dr Thabo Makgabo (Medicine)

Had surgery at Life Wilgers Hospital on 28 Feb 2024 and was discharged on 15 March 2024. Dr Makgabo and Sister Portia came to see me each day following my procedure until I was discharged. I believe they evaluated/reviewed my prescribed medicine to determine compliance and complications with such medicine, among others..

From my observation and interaction with this team, I noted that Dr Makgabo is very friendly; respectful; knowledgeable; an open communicator; free-spirited; passionate; caring; supportive; professional; pays meticulous attention to detail; demonstrated empathy; and is multilingual - it was an advantage to me that the doctor could speak in my language. What stood out for me was Dr Makgabo’s ability to engage effectively in small talk with patients and nurses. This says a lot about his warmth and empathy.

Big thumbs up to Dr Makgabo and team 👍

Mrs CIA Meiring (Dietician)

Mrs CIA Meiring didn’t say much but she was kind and friendly. She also prescribed nice meals for me when I was cleared for soft meals. Also managed to lose some kilos during my stay at Life Wilgers Hospital for the period 25 Feb 2024 to 15 March 2024.

Du Buisson Kramer Swart/ Ampath (Pathologist)

Had surgery at Life Wilgers Hospital on 28 Feb 2024 and was discharged on 15 March 2024. The lady who would often come to draw/take blood samples from me in the early morning hours (bald headed) was very mean, rude, unapproachable and would not even greet me nor the nurses on duty. Not once in 15 days did she even initiate a conversation. I would just hand over my hand; she does her thing and leaves. Unnecessary energy!

Regards