Terrible experience at Femina Hospital

Terrible experience at Femina Hospital 21st, 22nd & 23rd February 2019

The terrible experience started with the nurse where I did my sonar. After I was done I was told to wait for results, but the nurse that was receiving me at the reception she had told me they will call her to fetch me as soon as I was done with my sonar. An hour went by and I stood up to ask if the results were ready, the nurse was so rude and sarcastic told me if the results were ready I would have been called. Sat there another 30 minutes and I asked again and also told her that I wasn't supposed to wait as I was being admitted. She then said Ooh let me check with nurse. She didn't even have the decency to apologise, the nurse came to fetch me and I was admitted.

The first nurse I interacted with at the ward level 2 room 23 was very caring and helpful. There was one nurse with curly black hair, who came to the ward she did not greet and carried on with herself. When I came back from surgery the caring nurse was no longer there. The evening was okay as I was given my meds as prescribed by the doctor.

In the morning I was supposed to be discharged but I wasn't feeling well at all and I advised the nurse on duty that I wasn't well. She then felt the need to explain to me how expensive it's going to be for me to stay another night at the hospital and suggested that I go home. I then told her that I can not stomach any food and I am vomiting and weak and in pain at the same time. She said to me I would advise you to go home, because even if the doctor motivates why you had to stay another night the medical aid wont pay and you will be liable for it. As I was sitting there feeling sick to my stomach she then carried on to expalin the costs. I stood up and went to the bathroom to vomit again then she said, but let me tell your doctor and see what he says.

Doctor Lawson came and I explained how I was feeling, he immediately said you can not go home if you are not well. He prescribed medication to help with the nausea.

The nurse came to give me the suppository, when I came out of the bathroom I found them changing sheets on the other 3 beds and I asked if they can also change mine as I am staying another night. She said to me she will have to confirm if that's the case they are only preparing for the new patients. I stood there confused as to why is she saying all these things, isn't it what they are supposed to do anyway whether I am discharged or not?

The nurse who received me the previous day (Elize or Liezel) came to check up on me and she was very helpful and also agreed with the doctor that I shouldn't be sent home. She then said I should get my prescription at the pharmacy and she will speak with the nurse on duty (Gladys) to take care of me and I asked her to confirm with Gladys as my interaction with her earlier wasn't good. She also confirmed that Dr Lawson will motivate my staying the extra night.

Got my medication from the pharmacy and I called Gladys to ask her for my food in the fridge. She then said to me, I need to understand that she is only attending to the 3 new patients. Going forward should I need anything I must see to it how I get to it including my medication.

I then asked her, how does that work? Am I now, as a patient supposed to take care of myself in hospital. I might as well go home, why am I still here then? She stormed out to make a call and still did not bring my food. I haven't eaten since morning and I needed to take medication for pain.

I stood up weak as I was to ask the other nurse to bring me my food and she ignored me and I started getting frustrated and asked everyone who was @ the reception can someone show me where the kitchen is so I can make myself food and take my medication. One of the nurses pointed where the kitchen was. I went and dished out my food, as I was busy I almost fell in the kitchen; luckily there was a lady who assisted me and told me to go back to the ward, she will bring my food. As I was leaving the kitchen Gladys came and started shouting and pointing the handheld phone at my face, I couldn't believe my eyes and I asked her is this how you treat patients here because they are weak and they can't fight back? She carried on shouting until I said to her you must know I am recording all this, that was me trying to make her stop and she stormed out again.

Frustrated I messaged a friend of mine about my experience, she immediately called the hospital to complain, she told me she spoke with the Manager on duty. Maritjie came to speak to me, she listened and apologised for what I had experienced and told me Gladys will take care of me going forward. Gladys came and started opening my medication, and I said to her I would appreciate if she apologised for what transpired earlier and she said I am here to give you your medication. I repeated myself and she stormed out yet again.

I messaged my friend again and she said she was told the nurse in question came to apologise.

A few minutes later Gladys came in and said she is waiting for Nhlanhla and I asked what is this about I just need my medication and sleep. She said she was told to come apologise to me so she needed to have a witness there. She said I apologise for what happened and started opening the medication.

That evening of the 22nd February was a nightmare,I was disrespected in so many levels, my dignity and my right to healthcare was taken away from me by the same people who claim they are there to care for all patients. I couldn't close my eyes as I was terrified of what might happen next, if the Healthcare givers can treat patients like this anything is possible.

I want FEMINA HOSPITAL to accountability for the ill-treatment I had to endure and the don't care attitude of the nurses on duty that evening. I was a patient and I was treated like I was invading their space.

Nomvuyo Stuurman