Thanks to Livingstone Hospital

A heartfelt thank you, from my sister in Canada and myself, to the doctors and staff at Livingstone Hospital, for caring for my mother during her recent illness.

Having always been part of an elite medical aid system, it was a shock when my mother was sent to Livingstone Hospital, due to a payment lapse, and we completely expected the worst, having heard nothing but negative stories.

The nurse at Greenacres Hospital had assured me that she would go straight to ICU at Livingsone – which didn’t happen. By the way, thank you for nothing, Greenacres, for charging us almost R5,000 for the two hours she was there, while we battled with the medical aid.

So how surprised we were by the world-class professionalism of the doctors and nurses, support and understanding we received at Livingstone.

I would especially like to thank the doctors in POC and Unit 3. Doctors Robertson, Bouwer, Walsh and Woodford – you guys rock! Also Sister Mazinyo and all the sisters in Ward 4b and the wonderful patients who shared their stories and sympathy. My mother has made a full recovery and we can only be grateful.

I think the public of Port Elizabeth are lucky to have this institution on their doorstep. This incident has made me realise how completely unprepared we are for medical emergencies and I was able to see first-hand how 90% of South Africans are having to do hospitals.

Yes, it definitely isn’t 5-star, but the doctors and nurses I will always remember for their compassion and work, through what could have been a very traumatic time.

Mary Robinson, Addo