Busamed Private Hospital Hillcrest

My friend Gavin, who is in his 80s, was admitted to Busamed Hillcrest hospital a few days before our visit. Reception advised us he was in ICU and granted us access to the ward. The control desk in ICU advised he was no longer in the ICU ward and that we should find out which ward he was in at the main hospital reception at the entrance. Astonishingly, they advised he was in the hospital but did not know which ward he was in, as this was not reflected on his records. Hospital reception was unable to help us any further.

We then enquired as to whether the patient was discharged; they advised the records indicated he was not discharged. We then phoned Gavin's doctor, who informed us of the ward number he was admitted to. We found him in this ward.

Gavin was having difficulty breathing and was out of breath. He explained he was very uncomfortable. This was understandable; he is a tall, large man, and his legs projected beyond the bottom bed railing—they were hanging over the bed. The bed was clearly too short for him. Despite showing the nursing staff that the bed was too small, they advised that the hospital does not have larger beds. Gavin had spent 3 days in a bed that he could not fit into. Busamed did not assist him, despite complaints from Gavin that he was uncomfortable. The daily ward cost is R6000 per day.

We requested the location of the Matron's office. Unfortunately, the Matron was not in her office, and we reported our concerns to the main hospital reception.