Trauma issue at Chatsmed hospital

I write this email with deep concern, as well as absolute disgust at the state of Chats med Life hospital, a private hospital nonetheless.

On Monday night, the 4th of July 2022, my 3 year old daughter became extremely sick, she presented with a sudden spike in fever. Despite administering a suppository, her fever did not subside, and her febrile seizure started. We were in Durban on holiday, as my parents reside in Umhlatuzana, Chats med trauma unit was the closest option for the urgent medical attention my daughter required. We rushed to Chats Med Trauma Unit, she already had 2 febrile seizures and it was a matter of time until the next one, only to be met with a lack attention from a doctor or even nursing staff.

On arrival at the Trauma unit at 7pm, we were told to wait. no matter the urgency, we were told there were no beds available therefore we could not be attended to. They did not feel the need to evaluate my child to determine the seriousness/need for medical attention. Staff members were arrogant and showed no interest in providing medical service but rather prioritized the need to complete paperwork. Once the paperwork was complete, we repeatedly were told we were were next. By 9pm, we had still not received any assistance. whilst in the trauma waiting area, my daughter started convulsing again, I asked for a nurse to at least monitor her temperature and we were told they are all busy, I repeatedly asked if an available bed would then only warrant my child's temperature to be evaluated. payment was a guarantee yet service was just not even an option. forget the commitment to do no harm, It seems the healthcare providers at chats med trauma just DO NOTHING!!

My child's condition got progressively worse which warranted us to leave and rush off to the next nearest hospital which was Westville, they immediately saw to her by then her temperature was so high they had to immediately give her special priority attention. this was a truly traumatic experience for my family.

This is a private hospital and I am so disgusted. People die waiting for you guys to attend. If you guys are that busy you must put a notice saying you will be helped in 3 to 4 hours time and there is a chance that we cannot give you a time that you can be helped. A lady was having a miscarriage at the hospital at 6 they only saw to her at 8:30 by then there was probably no hope. I will keep telling people about Chatsmed because I would never want this to happen to someone else. This is of a serious concern and management needs to escalate this issue.

When we went to Westville hospital they was so quick on their feet and my daughter was seen to immediately and was stabilized within 1 hour 15 minutes.