POOR SERVICE RECEIVED FROM MERCANTILE HOSPITAL - PORT ELIZABETH

Life Mercantile Hospital was our first choice in hospitals in Port Elizabeth, but after our recent experience I doubt that we'll ever return to that place. My mother suffered a heart attack on 9 August and was admitted to the emergency unit and from there she was then transferred to high care. In both these units she received good care and the staff had so much patience and love for my mother who also suffers from dementia. Unfortunately she was then transferred to the WARD A. For the 3 days my mother spent in that ward we found her soaked in her urine every morning - I've asked a nurse if I could spend the nights with her as she gets anxious and confused and they refused, but still my mom did not receive the care she needed after making them aware of her dementia. My sister and I had to wash her and change her bedding with no assistance from the nurses, although after complaining on the 3rd morning a nurse attempted to show some concern. Later we learnt that my mother actually left the ward and a male nurse returned her later - that explains why a sheet was tied around the bars of the bed to keep my mom in her bed. I've logged an official complaint to this email address '***' and I have received a call from Mrs. Pillay from the hospital. She assured me that the necessary action will be taken and I will receive feedback over 10 days. The 10 working days expired on 27.08.2019 and I've received no feedback. What saddens me is that the cost for private health care is not cheap but if we compare the care she received to the costs we paid we might as well have sent her to the government funded hospital - I'm sure she would've received better care there.