Pathetic Excuse for a hospital!

Rating doesn't even deserve ONE Star! Should be minus 1000 rating it is horrific there!

I had heard numerous negative reports about Livingston Hospital in Port Elizabeth, but I never anticipated personally experiencing such profound incompetence. I am deeply disturbed, disheartened, and outraged by the blatant neglect and lack of care shown to patients. This entire experience has been nothing short of appalling.

Upon our arrival on Thursday evening-20.03.25, we were shocked to find the hospital nearly empty, with staff allegedly on strike and only willing to treat "Triage Red" patients—those in life-threatening conditions. Given the severe shortage of personnel and the nearly deserted facility, it is difficult to understand how they could properly assess who required urgent care. As a result, we had no choice but to take my uncle back home, hoping for the best until we could seek care elsewhere.

Today, we returned, hoping there would be staff available, and indeed, there were—but we were informed that due to the backlog from the strike, there was a 48-hour wait to see any doctor or nurse. This begs the question: what was the point of the strike if it only created more pressure and likely reduced the already insufficient *********** staff? The situation only deteriorated further. My uncle, unable to stand due to excruciating pain, had to depend on us to find a wheelchair. The security guard at casualty told us there was only one available, and it was already in use. After searching the entire hospital, I finally located a wheelchair—hidden behind a doctor's door — the staff were hesitant to allow me to take it. Regardless, I took it, knowing there was no other option, and returned it afterward. Once we managed to get him into casualty, he was placed in a semi-crowded room next to a man shackled to his bed, presumably a prisoner, while the security guard assigned to monitor him was glued to his phone, neglecting his duties. In fact, nearly every security guard we encountered seemed more focused on their phones than on carrying out their responsibilities. This level of disregard for basic patient care is utterly disgraceful

Initially, my mom and I were allowed to stay with my uncle to provide him with water, a blanket, and a pillow and pain meds as he had still not been seen too. However, when the shift changed, so did the demeanor of the staff. The service, which was already inadequate, deteriorated further as the staff became more unfriendly and unhelpful. It raises the question: why would anyone continue to work in healthcare if they are so unwilling to assist those in need? The most infuriating aspect of this experience was when we were informed that we could no longer stay with my uncle at all. My uncle, who is unable to speak or advocate for himself, was left in a semi-crowded casualty room for a full 12 hours, still not receiving any medical attention. This was the situation up until the time I am writing this letter (10:00 p.m. Saturday night).

I am absolutely livid and profoundly disappointed by the state of our public healthcare system—if it can even be called a "system." The level of neglect, indifference, and disrespect demonstrated is completely unacceptable and, frankly, inexcusable. This is not simply poor service; it is a failure of the most basic responsibilities of a healthcare institution.