SM
Stella M

1 reviews | Active since May 2016

14 Dec 2025, 06:53

Vile hospital with even more vile staff

We had an exceptionally terrible experience at Bedfordview that strangely enough started out not too bad. I took my 67-year-old mom to Casualty on Monday 8 Dec after she started vomiting and passing blood. She was put on a drip and oxygen and after a while seemed better. I was so relieved I gave a 5-star rating while at the hospital. Turns out ratings are all they are after. My mom was still bleeding below when she left that hospital which the staff knew because she had bled in their bathroom in casualty. They didn't say anything. By 12 midday on 9 Dec she bled so much I had to take her back. When they took her vitals, her blood pressure was 98/27! And my mom actually has hypertension! Instead of stabilizing her, we get a vile doctor smugly telling us he will do nothing because it will cost 1 mil upfront to get her admitted. So, in my panicked state I had to rush my still bleeding mother to Germiston hospital while it was storming outside. Since when do private hospitals not stabilise patients before chasing them to state hospitals? Did we not pay the casualty bill IN FULL the previous day including blood tests? Why are you so cavalier with the lives of older patients? After a run around my mom is now in Vosloorus hospital where they are taking excellent care of her. I fully intend to take this matter to the HSPCA as it is clear that Bedfordview Life Healthcare has a disdain for patients not on medical aid. There are a lot more details that won't fit into this review, but I hope people read this and think more than twice before taking their loved ones to this awful hospital where saving lives is not prioritized over money. And as a side note, go and read some of the other complaints on here and you will quickly see I am far from the only one who has seen this in person.

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Replies (4)
SM
Stella M's update14 Dec 2025, 06:59
Reviewer Update
Just as a side note:
In South Africa, private hospitals are
legally required to provide emergency medical treatment and stabilize any patient experiencing a life-threatening condition, regardless of whether they have medical aid or the ability to pay.
Under the National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003) and Section 27(3) of the Constitution, no one may be refused emergency medical treatment.

Key Legal Requirements for Stabilization
  • Mandatory Stabilization: A private hospital must treat a patient in a clear emergency until they are stable enough to be safely transferred.
  • Definition of Emergency: Emergency treatment is generally defined as care for a "dramatic, sudden situation" where there is a real possibility of death or serious bodily injury.
  • Prohibition of Refusal: Private institutions cannot refuse care based solely on a lack of private health insurance or immediate payment.
  • Pre-Transfer Protocol: Transfer to a public facility can only occur after initial stabilization is complete and all necessary medical and transport arrangements have been made between referring and receiving hospitals.
Life Healthcare
Life Healthcare's reply15 Dec 2025, 09:59
Official
Dear Stella M, Your review concerns us. We apologise that our service did not satisfy your expectations. We would appreciate the opportunity to learn more about your experience. Please send your contact details by following this link, https://lifebrand.goreview.co.za/goreview-crm?revid=If0oONz5 so that your feedback can be addressed directly by the appropriate person. We do hope to turn this around for you. Many thanks, Life Healthcare
SM
Stella M's update18 Dec 2025, 18:06
Reviewer Update
On the 18th now and unsurprisingly no one at Life Healthcare Bedford Gardens has bothered to call and address this serious situation. As such, I have approached the human rights commission and will include this hospital in my complaint.
SM
Stella M's update19 Feb 2026, 08:52
Reviewer Update
This has now been handed over to the correct health ombudsman