. The Western Cape Health Department has launched an investigation after a 14-year-old post-surgery patient was mistakenly dropped off at home instead of being transferred between hospitals, still wearing medical equipment and hospital attire.
Image: David Ritchie/Independent Newspapers Archive
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has launched an internal investigation after a 14-year-old boy recovering from surgery was mistakenly dropped off at his home in Macassar instead of being transferred to another hospital.
Rue-Wahl Bunding, 14, 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 and bandages intact.
His grandmother, Anneline Hartzenberg, said she was shocked when she opened the door on Monday, March 3, and found him standing there after an ambulance dropped him off without any transfer documents.
“I just heard a vehicle speeding off, and when I opened the door, there my grandson stood—still in his hospital gown, with a drip and bandages, and very weak,” Hartzenberg said. “What if I wasn’t home? He is a minor—what would have happened to him?”
The Western Cape Health Department has since admitted that the teenage boy was incorrectly dropped at home and was supposed to be transferred from Tygerberg Hospital to Helderberg hospital.
. The Western Cape Health Department has launched an investigation after a 14-year-old post-surgery patient was mistakenly dropped off at home instead of being transferred between hospitals, still wearing medical equipment and hospital attire.
Image: supplied
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.
The Western Cape Health Department confirmed the mistake and apologised to the family.
“We acknowledge the incident involving Rue-Wahl and deeply regret the distress this has caused him and his family,” the department said. “We can confirm that there was a miscommunication regarding his transfer, which resulted in an error in transit. The situation was promptly addressed, and Rue-Wahl was transported to the hospital as soon as the error was realised.
“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.”
Hartzenberg told the Cape Argus she had to make her grandson comfortable on the couch while urgently contacting Tygerberg Hospital, but claimed the hospital was hesitant to send an ambulance.
“They (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.”
Rue-Wahl Bunding, 14, 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 and bandages intact.
Image: .
The grandmother added that the hospital transfer letter including a voice note via WhatsApp was sent to her which she found strange.
Her grandson had been complaining of severe stomach pains for weeks.
“I am making the public aware because protocol was not followed here, they did not even have his transfer letter with him and sent it to me via WhatsApp when in fact that had to go to the hospital,” she added.
Community activist Christian Stewart, who assisted the family, called the incident shocking and unacceptable.
“How could they have sent him home in that condition still wearing his drip and hospital gown?
“They need to tell us who gave the instruction?”
Cape Argus