Cancelled surgery a pain for mom
A DURBAN woman who was to have gallstones removed claims she was turned away from Addington hospital without being given another appointment.
Teneil Kok, 27, said she was told in April that the operation would take place on Wednesday, but when she arrived at the hospital was told to go home.
“I am frustrated and angry. The doctor told me there was a shortage of beds and cancelled my appointment. I was admitted twice in March because I was in a lot of pain. I have had to endure the pain of gallstones since then because I have had to wait for another appointment.
“The doctor said nothing could be done, they were only taking urgent operations. He showed me an empty ward that did not have beds and told me that if I could bring my own bed, I would be admitted and the operation could be done.”
Kok said she was angry that she was not given another appointment. “Nobody could tell me when to return. I went to the public relations office to lay a complaint. The woman did not even write down what I was saying. She said she would phone ‘the booking lady’ for a new appointment and get back to me. I did not get the call. “I went back to the hospital on Thursday and Friday to the booking office. I was told the woman who gives appointments is off sick and therefore no bookings are done,” said Kok.
“The worst part is that I also could not find my file. I don’t know what has happened to it. When I left the hospital, I left it where patients’ files are dropped off. Why should I go to the hospital on three consecutive days to book an appointment?”
Kok said she had to send her 3-year-old daughter to foster parents to be looked after as she prepared to be admitted.
“I don’t have a stable home, I am on my own with my daughter. My social worker had arranged foster parents to look after my child while I was in hospital.
“I did not know that I would have to beg so much to be treated – all I need is to have these gallstones removed so my life can go on and I can look for job without being sick often.”
The KZN department of health had not responded to questions at the time of going to print.