Injured man (80) waits several hours for ambulance
Problems with service, hygiene and privacy.
Two separate cases over the weekend occurred where people phoned the provincial ambulance services to transport them to hospital, only to wait several hours before help arrived to be taken to a hospital where privacy and hygiene are allegedly not a concern.
On Sunday, November 8 a man in his 80s fell and sustained a severe injury. Mpumalanga Provincial Ambulance Services were called at 11:00 to where the man stays in Reyno Ridge. The family said that at about 16:00, when the ambulance service still did not arrive, they called a different ambulance service, who took the injured man to Witbank Hospital.
The 80-year-old man needs hip surgery, but the conditions regarding basic hygiene and privacy are appalling, according to the patient who took pictures of the toilet and shower he has to use. The shower doors are broken as well and the toilet has no lid or toilet paper when he apparently tried to use it.
On the same day a 45-year-old man also needed an ambulance and only after the family waited eight hours, did the provincial ambulance finally arrive according to the injured man’s cousin. She was in tears as she said that he waited in the Casualty Unit right through the night to be admitted.
“He could not walk and he had to sleep in the wheelchair. He was so tired,” said the man’s cousin who was crying over the negligence. He was eventually admitted on November 9, the next day.
What should be done about these incidents? Have your say and comment below.
