Mulbarton Hospital

<p>On the 4th of November 2016 I had to undergo surgery at the Mulbarton Hospital.</p> <p>Prior to this date I received a quote for the surgery from the surgeon and anaesthetist but never from the Hospital.</p> <p>On the 4th at the admission desk I was presented with an amount of R 7,505.70 which I settled right there and when I ask for a statement was informed that it would be sent to me within 5 to 10 working days.</p> <p>While waiting in the ward for surgery the nurses took my blood pressure and where in and out of the room and the forms to be completed by the nurses took forever. I blood pressure reading machine was attached to my arm but was hurting me. The sister said the machine was broken and had to wait for another one.</p> <p>Eventually I was taken to theater and while waiting inside theater, right next to an office with one of the sisters sitting inside it, to be taken to the operating table one of the theater nurses noticed I did not have any tags on my wrist. The sister had to go back to the ward and organise the tags.</p> <p>Meantime the anaesthetist came to see me and asked me if I had been prepared for surgery and my reply was no and that I was not given any injections or tablets since arriving at the hospital. I think before surgery the patient is given an injection to dry up and relax? I was very nervous.</p> <p>The surgeon came to see me and asked the nurses what the issue was and I had to remain where I was and wait for the tags which took a long time. By the way, in one of the tags my name was spelt wrong and I said nothing as to not delay anything and the doctors had seen me and knew what the surgery was about so I said nothing. I was fully aware of what was going on.</p> <p>After the surgery both the surgeon and the anaesthetist did not ask me for any other monies over and above the quote they had already previously given me and I assumed the surgery went well with no issues or complications and within the stipulated time.</p> <p>2 Weeks later I went to the surgeon to have the stiches removed and from there went to the Hospital to ask for the statement which was now overdue?</p> <p>I was presented with a statement printed right there and then and was informed that there was an outstanding amount of R 2,808.00 and when I asked why the extra amount I could not get an answer and was given two e-mail addresses to which I should direct my query and so I did.</p> <p>I received a reply stating my e-mail had been forwarded to someone dealing with private patient’s accounts.</p> <p>Until this 6th day of February 2017 I have not received any other correspondence from Mulbarton Hospital.</p> <p>On the 3rd of February 2017 I received a sms with a "Netcare Final Demand" stating "to avoid legal action please settle before the 27th of January 2017" Please note SMS arrived after the settlement date!</p> <p>I have sent a few E-mails to Mulbarton Hospital, since receiving the sms, requesting an explanation as to why their initial estimate has escalated by 37.4 % and have not yet received any replies as there has never been an official statement from them apart from the legal action threat received via sms.</p> <p> </p>