A total 13 patients with broken limbs have spent the last few days sleeping on benches and stretchers at Frere Hospital while waiting for beds.
The hospital has been affected by an increase in trauma incidents and was under pressure, said CEO Rolene Wagner.
Last Thursday the Dispatch received calls from patients who said they had been waiting for beds since the previous Monday. Wagner said the hospital could not accommodate all the patients and those without beds slept in casualty.
On Monday, the same number of patients was still without beds.
Thobeka Ngantweni, a Nehawu shop steward at the hospital, said this undermined the dignity of patients.
“Patients must either be admitted or discharged; they can’t be kept here like this.”
Landisizwe Mali of King William’s Town said he was one of the lucky ones who had gotten a bed last Thursday after spending two nights sleeping on a bench.
He expressed dismay over the unpleasant conditions, saying many patients had been left to fend for themselves while waiting for beds.
“When I arrived it was only for a check-up, but I was told that I needed an operation. I’m in so much pain and sleeping on the benches was really uncomfortable.” He said they received hospital meals sporadically, and on Wednesday and Thursday drank medication on an empty stomach.
On Wednesday night we put money together and bought ourselves bread and cooldrink because we were dying of hunger,” he said.
Siyabulela Nqokwana, 26, of Kwelera, said he was awaiting surgery and was told not to leave before he was operated on. He said he considered himself lucky because he arrived at the hospital on Wednesday unlike the other patients who had arrived even earlier.
“We’ve been told to keep waiting for beds. Every afternoon we move to the benches at the casualty ward and spend the night there. It’s been a really awful experience because we only get measly blankets for comfort.”
Wagner did not deny a shortage in beds. She said the hospital faced increased admissions and was struggling to allocate beds for all patients. She said the orthopaedic ward was most affected.
“Despite having the second-largest orthopaedic unit [in SA], there are times like now when the burden of trauma and injury exceeds the available beds for immediate admission.
“It’s not ideal and we apologise sincerely. We’re trying to still provide care as best we can under these conditions and have taken action to manage the increased demand for admissions.”
Wagner said it was the men who had mostly been left out in the cold. “We’re waiting on paramedics to move our discharged patients for the day, so that the current patients can be admitted. In response to the increased burden of trauma in the region, and to accommodate the pressure periods, management will also be activating a casualty ward.”..