Netcare Mulbarton mistreats chronic patient
A patient of Netcare Mulbarton Hospital is upset and annoyed about the treatment she received at various times when she was admitted or visited casualty.
MULBARTON – Sandra Stephanou has been a patient at the hospital for over 10 years. “I am a chronic patient for heart and lungs and I have been hospitalised many times over the years. Many of the nursing staff just don’t know what they are doing and also have a ‘I don’t care’ attitude.
“I first brought this to the attention of the acting hospital manager about four years ago and I also spoke to other staff in the office about my concerns.
“About three years ago I had been admitted to the hospital and a student staff member was going to administer the incorrect medication to me. Thank goodness I told the staff member it wasn’t my medication. I did complain about this incident then.
“I feel Netcare Mulbarton employ staff totally unsuitable for their jobs. More recently I have undergone pain and humiliation due to incapable staff unable to put in a drip. I was told my veins are difficult to find and I was subjected to about six staff members poking and jabbing me. After one such incident I actually discharged myself and since then I’m very wary to be admitted if needs be. If I have to have a drip administered I have it done in casualty and then go home, returning each day for the medication. I feel as if the hospital staff resent me just because my veins are difficult to locate and it’s a case of, ‘Oh, no here is this awkward patient again’!
“I have spoken to hospital manager, Nellie Koen, and she told me I’m always welcome to go and see her with my problems. My main concern is Netcare Mulbarton is a private hospital and as such the staff should know what they are doing.
“If I need medical attention now I go to the Union Hospital at Alberton, which incidentally is also a Netcare hospital. Staff there are more professional and carry out their duties in a caring manner.
“I honestly feel because salaries in the nursing sector are not very high, the staff work longer hours to make up a decent wage and then they go around complaining they are tired. They are not interested in caring for their patients,” Sandra concluded.
The hospital manager, Nellie Koen, was asked to comment.
“I am most concerned to hear that you still feel that the problems you experienced at Netcare Mulbarton Hospital have not been resolved to your satisfaction. When we met on February 26 my impression was that we had made good progress in addressing the issues that so clearly troubled you.
“We appreciate constructive feedback from our patients. As indicated to you during our meeting in February, the behaviour described by you is not aligned to the values Netcare Mulbarton Hospital stands for.
“I understand that, as a chronic patient, hospitals are a part of your life and as such the hospital should be a place where you feel both welcome and secure in the knowledge that you are in capable and compassionate hands. During our recent telephone discussion I therefore suggested that I visit you at home to further discuss your concerns. Unfortunately you were not comfortable with the suggestion.
“I wish to assure you that the management and staff of Netcare Mulbarton Hospital are making every effort to provide the very best care to our patients. Staff members are encouraged to live the Netcare values of care, truth, passion, dignity and participation in order to provide compassionate, quality care to patients. It is of the utmost importance to us as a hospital that members of the community we serve feel comfortable and safe in our care.
“I would like to suggest that we meet again so that I may share our proposed plan of action in response to your concerns. You are very important to us at Netcare Mulbarton Hospital and we trust that our care would meet your expectations should you be admitted to our hospital again in future.”
