Victim treated immediately
FOLLOWING the attack at Schoenmakerskop, and the subsequent treatment and admission of Elaine Allwright at Life St George’s Hospital in Port Elizabeth, statements have been published in The Herald regarding her treatment at our hospital.
The hospital would like to place the following facts on record:
ý The hospital has not made any comments in the media with regard to Allwright as the family requested that the hospital did not interact with the media.
Authority was subsequently received on Friday from the family to set the record straight with regard to Allwright’s admission and her account;
ý All patients presenting at any Life Healthcare hospitals receive medical attention that they require, as our first priority.
No patient is ever denied emergency treatment or receives delayed emergency treatment due to their financial standing, or for any other reason;
ý Allwright was brought to the accident and emergency unit at Life St George’s Hospital. The accident and emergency team treated her immediately due to the serious nature of her injuries;
ý After Allwright had been stabilised and prepared for admission, it was determined that she did not have medical aid.
In these circumstances, it is standard procedure to give the patient the option of transfer to a state facility or to remain admitted as a private paying patient.
In Allwright’s case, we were requested to admit her and a deposit of R30 000 was subsequently paid.
At no time was treatment refused or withheld from Allwright due to her being a private paying patient;
ý Currently the hospital account is R84 500 and not the quarter of a million stated in the press. This figure is only for the hospital admission, and does not include the doctors and ancillary services, as these will be billed separately.
Allwright is in a stable condition and has been moved out of the intensive care unit and into a general ward;
ý Due to the traumatic circumstances surrounding this attack and the tragic loss of her partner, the hospital has arranged trauma counselling for Allwright. The cost will be covered by the hospital.
Life St George’s Hospital wishes to assure the community of Schoenmakerskop and Port Elizabeth that patient care is of utmost priority.
We extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of Ken Alexander and wish Allwright a speedy recovery.
Bruce Janssens, regional manager – Eastern Cape, Life Healthcare