Ambulance dumps teen at home

A macassar ouma got a groot skrik when her 14-year-old grandson was mistakenly dropped off at home with his drip and alles instead of being transferred to another hospital.

Teen Rue-Wahl Bunding, who had recently undergone an appendectomy and was receiving treatment for an infection, was left outside his grandmother’s home still wearing hospital gear, with his drip, bandages and alles intact.

His grandmother, Anneline Hartzenberg, said she was shocked when she opened the door on Monday, 3 March and found him standing there after an ambulance dropped him off without any transfer documents.

She explains: “I just heard a vehicle speeding off, and when I opened the door, there stood my grandson - still in his hospital gown, with a drip and bandages, and very weak.

“What if I wasn’t home? He is a minor - what would have happened to him?”

Hartzenberg says she immediately made her grandson comfortable on the couch while urgently contacting Tygerberg Hospital, but claimed the hospital was hesitant to send an ambulance.

She adds: “They [the hospital] told me to bring him in myself, but I refused—what if something happened to him in a private vehicle?” she said. “They only came to fetch him five hours later.”

The WCHW has since admitted that the teenage boy was incorrectly dropped at home, instead of being transferred from Tygerberg Hospital to Helderberg Hospital.

The teenager had initially undergone surgery at Helderberg Hospital, but after doctors discovered he had a serious infection, he was transferred to Tygerberg Hospital for further treatment. He was supposed to be moved back to Helderberg Hospital but was instead incorrectly discharged and dropped at home.

A WCHW statement reads: “We acknowledge the incident involving Rue-Wahl and deeply regret the distress this has caused him and his family. 

“An internal investigation is currently underway to understand what led to this incident and to ensure that appropriate measures are taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.”

“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and concern this has caused and remain committed to providing quality care to our patients.”

Daily Voice