Family fights for justice after mother’s nine-hour wait for brain aneurysm treatment at Mitchells Plain Hospital
In a fight for accountability, the family of a mother with a brain aneurysm shares their distressing experience at Mitchells Plain Hospital.
Image: File
The family of a 39-year-old mother of three will be seeking legal action against Mitchells Plain District Hospital after she allegedly waited nine hours before being seen by a doctor or receiving medical treatment for a brain aneurysm.
Noerisah Sonday has since undergone a DSA coil brain procedure at Groote Schuur Hospital, where she was transferred and remains in high care. Doctors also suspect possible meningitis, according to the family.
The family has reported the matter to hospital management and was informed that an internal investigation could take up to 24 days. Family friend, Pastor Oscar Bougardt stated that they are seeking accountability, questioning why nurses were allowed to triage patients instead of doctors. He has provided a timeline of events and shared their experience via social media.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has since confirmed the inception of an investigation into the complaint.
Noerisah Sonday has since undergone a DSA coil brain procedure at Groote Schuur Hospital, where she was transferred and remains in high care. Doctors also suspect possible meningitis, according to the family.
Image: supplied
Bougardt explained that Sonday collapsed on March 3 and was rushed to the hospital just after 3 pm, presenting the following symptoms: severe head pain, blocked ears, loss of muscle strength, and bowel issues. Despite the seriousness of her symptoms, she was coded green and had to wait for nine hours before being seen by a doctor he said.
“Around 8pm, they (family) approached the staff because she was clearly getting worse,” he said. “They were told this is the busiest hospital in the province, that there were resuscitation cases, and that waiting time is 6–8 hours, so she must wait like everyone else. They tried to explain that her symptoms suggested a possible brain bleed, but no one listened.”
Finally, at 00:22 – nine hours later – a doctor informed them that she needed to be transferred to Groote Schuur Hospital for a suspected brain bleed. “She only left Mitchells Plain Hospital after 3 am and arrived at Groote Schuur after 4am, that is almost 12 hours after collapsing. Even when she arrived there, she was still classified as Code Green, causing further delays.
"Eventually, scans confirmed the seriousness of her condition. She was only admitted to the high-care neurosurgical ward after 8pm on March 4. On March 5, doctors had to perform a DSA coil brain procedure through the groin to stop the bleeding.”
The family is asking several questions, including whether triage nurses are properly trained and why doctors are not part of the triage process.
Sonday’s sister, who spoke on behalf of the family, stated that they would pursue legal action and that the impact has been significant: “Before this incident, she was responsible for running the household while her husband worked. Since her medical emergency, their daily lives have been significantly affected. Her husband is currently unable to work as he needs to care for their daughters and manage the household. As a result, the family currently has no income and is relying on family support for basic needs, such as food.”
She detailed that they are now awaiting feedback from the hospital following their complaint: “A complaint has been lodged with the hospital. The family was informed that the investigation process could take up to 25 days before they receive feedback,” she added.
She said her sister remains in high care and that after her procedure, her condition has improved. “But doctors advised that she may experience stroke-like symptoms, which she is currently showing,” she added. “Further tests have been conducted after blood results raised concerns about possible meningitis.”
The family believes the situation could have been addressed much sooner if their concerns had been taken seriously.
“The family felt frustrated because they had explained that her symptoms suggested possible neurological problems, but they felt their concerns were dismissed,” she said. “A doctor referred to as ‘Dr Gail,’ as identified by a nurse on duty, did not appear to take their concerns seriously.
"The nurse also refused to allow them to speak to the doctor in charge, which added to their dissatisfaction with how the matter was handled.”
She expressed hope that this situation raises awareness about how patients and their families are not given a voice or compassion.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness confirmed that a formal written complaint relating to the identified patient was received: "We take these allegations seriously, and can confirm that our team is in the process of investigating this complaint, and will make contact with the family to address their concerns.
"The dignity and respect of our patients are not taken lightly. Our team at Mitchells Plain Hospital takes the care of all patients presenting to the facility in high priority, and they are working under immense pressure due to the number of emergency and life-threatening cases presenting to the emergency centre daily. "
In detailing Triage procedures the hospital explained the process: "Triaging remains an essential part of the treatment process that prioritises patients in emergency care based on physiological status and presenting symptoms, that incorporates stroke-like or life-threatening symptoms. Sadly, after being triaged correctly, a patient’s condition can change, while our healthcare teams are in the process of treating other life-threatening cases.
"This patient was triaged as non-life-threatening, but her condition changed while waiting for care. This incident is most unfortunate, but we can confirm that the patient was eventually treated and referred to Groote Schuur Hospital where she remains in care and receiving specialist treatment.
"This is the reality of the emergency centre at Mitchells Plain District, where healthcare teams are under pressure daily and dealing with complex medical emergency cases, while patients who are not triaged as life-threatening have to wait for hours to receive care.
"We want to reiterate that if you are triaged green and not life-threatening, your waiting time will take hours and we recommend that you visit your local clinic instead. Due to patient confidentiality, we are unable to provide any details on diagnosis, prognosis or treatment without the formal written consent of the patient."