Editor
I would like to express my absolute disgust at the service of some of the nurses in ward six at the Estcourt Provincial Hospital. Many people have to go there because they cannot afford medical aid. Does that mean that they are at the “mercy” of some of the nurses from HELL?

My mother-in-law was unfortunate enough to have stayed there for a few days and was treated very badly. This is a 78-year-old woman with Parkinson’s Disease has had three strokes and is extremely frail. She was told to empty her own urine bowl as well as “to throw her drip over her shoulder” and bath herself without supervision. She was shouted at by a nurse when she asked if she could have a shower when her children came to visit so that at least there was somebody to assist her.

She was told to “do what I tell you to do now!”Is nursing just a means to an end? If there are people like that serving the community, especially the aged, then they need to find another job because they are not fit to do the job. These kinds of people need to be reported for their lack of service and commitment. Shame on you for disrespecting our aged. Shame on you!
Anonymous

I will kindly reiterate to all our patients and clients that they have a right to complain when the expected standard of service is not received. The first point of reporting will be to the Operation Manager in the ward so that your complaint can be attended to immediately. However if you are not entirely satisfied with the way your complaint has been handled you are more than welcome to report it to the Public Relations Officer (PRO) so that the incident can be followed up in full and implicated employees be called to account.

I kindly request this client to come to the hospital and ask to speak to PRO so that he/she can give us the full details for us to start the investigation or alternatively contact her on 036 342 7089.
Zandile Mngomezulu
Estcourt Hospital Public Relations Officer