Victoria Hospital faces scrutiny after partner's death raises negligence allegations
A woman has raised concerns over emergency care at Victoria Hospital after her partner’s death.
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A Cape Town woman says she is “heartbroken and angry” after her life partner died just days after seeking help at the emergency unit at Victoria Hospital.
Philip Kruger died in the early hours of March 6 after what was later identified as a vascular emergency.
His partner, Gerda Kruger, has since lodged a formal complaint with health authorities over the care he received.
Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness spokesperson, Monique Johnstone, conveyed condolences to the family and confirmed hospital management had engaged with Kruger.
“We convey our deepest sympathy for the loss of Ms Kruger’s loved one and regret her negative experience at Victoria Hospital,” Johnstone said.
She said the patient had initially been triaged as “green”, indicating a stable condition, but was later re-assessed and upgraded to “yellow” as his pain escalated.
“It is most regrettable that they left the emergency centre without being fully assessed by our medical team,” she said, adding that waiting times remain a challenge due to high patient volumes.
Johnstone also confirmed that allegations of a nurse sleeping on duty are being investigated.
According to the formal complaint letter, Kruger said Philip developed severe pain in his right calf on March 3, accompanied by numbness in his foot, and that his condition worsened overnight.
In the early hours of March 4, she took him to Victoria Hospital, arriving shortly after 3:15am.
In her complaint, she alleges that after waiting without assistance, she entered the triage room and found a nurse asleep.
She further alleges that after the nurse woke up, basic checks were conducted, including an ECG and blood pressure reading, but that Philip’s leg was not examined.
“They didn’t look at his leg. Not once,” she said.
According to her complaint, the couple were told he would have to wait about eight hours to be seen by a doctor.
Kruger said Philip’s pain intensified and he struggled to walk, prompting them to leave the hospital and return home.
Later that morning, a general practitioner examined him and reportedly identified a vascular emergency, she said, noting no pulse in his foot or behind his knee, and discolouration of the leg.
He was referred by ambulance to Groote Schuur Hospital, where he was assessed by specialists, said Kruger.
According to the complaint, doctors determined that the leg was no longer viable and that an above-knee amputation would be required.
Shortly thereafter, Philip Kruger suffered a stroke, fell into a coma and died, Kruger said.
“I keep thinking, what if they had just checked his leg?” Kruger said.
She has called for a full investigation, saying she hopes the complaint will lead to accountability and prevent similar incidents.
“No one should be sent home in that kind of pain,” she said.