Parklands Durban hospital complaint

We are residents of Pennington on the South Coast. On Thursday, 5 February 2026, I took my husband, Mr. Marcel Langerman, to our GP in Scottburgh for his annual check-up. His blood pressure was found to be dangerously low, and despite immediate IV treatment, it could not be stabilised. He was transferred to Kingsway Hospital, where further attempts were made to stabilise him. After several hours and consultation with the physician on call, it was decided that he required ICU admission. As no ICU beds were available at Kingsway, he was transferred to Parklands Hospital that evening at approximately 18:45. What followed during his stay at your facility was deeply distressing and unacceptable. When I visited him on Friday morning (6 February), I found him wet because he had waited an extended period for assistance and a urine bottle. His chronic medication was still in his overnight bag, meaning no one had checked or recorded his medication upon admission. My husband is legally blind due to glaucoma and has approximately 5% vision. His eye drops are essential and must be administered twice daily. He had not received them since Thursday morning. When I contacted the Unit Manager (I believe her name was Shanti), I explained clearly that my husband is blind. Her response was, “Oh, he doesn’t look blind.” This response was shocking and insensitive. She recorded his medication and assured me the nurses would assist him with basic needs such as pouring water and helping him drink. Unfortunately, the problems continued. On Saturday (7 February), I found he had wet himself again due to lack of assistance. He had to ask another patient’s visitor to call the nursing staff. His eye drops were not administered. When he asked for food at 22:00, he was told it was on his trolley — despite staff being informed that he is blind and cannot see the tray. On Sunday (8 February), he was transferred to a general ward. I specifically requested that staff be informed of his visual impairment. However, the same issues continued — food and water were left on his trolley without assistance, and his eye drops were again missed. On Monday (9 February), I was informed while travelling the 100 km to the hospital that he was being sent for a colonoscopy and that I should not come. This turned out to be incorrect — staff had confused him with another patient. This level of disorganisation is deeply concerning. On Tuesday (10 February), I arrived at 09:30 to find that he had still not received his eye drops. Used urine bottles were left on his trolley, and I was told they are removed only when the patient calls for assistance — despite knowing he cannot see staff members to alert them. Additionally, hot water was placed in his water container without explanation. When I requested cold water, the staff member initially doubted me and tested it themselves. Basic dignity, hygiene, hydration, nutrition, and medication management are not luxuries — they are fundamental human rights, especially in a private hospital environment. My husband was discharged on Wednesday morning, for which we are grateful. However, our experience at your facility was deeply upsetting. The lack of compassion, organisation, and appropriate care for a visually impaired patient was unacceptable. A blind patient should never be left to struggle for food, water, hygiene, or essential medication. I want to thank Sister Nonto and Nurse Siphiwe in the ICU who really tried to assist him. After my second complaint in the ICU, Nonto fed him, and asked frequently if he needed anything. Your care was highly appreciated. We request: 1. A formal explanation of how this level of care occurred. 2. Clarification of protocols for managing disabled or visually impaired patients. 3. Assurance that corrective measures will be implemented to prevent this from happening to another vulnerable patient.