Over the weekend, several medical emergencies experienced critical delays in the Phoenix area due to reported refusals by government medical facilities to accept patients transported by certain private ambulance services.
According to emergency protocols, patients are typically classified based on the severity of their injuries and transported to the nearest appropriate medical facility. However, some hospitals and doctors have stated that if private ambulance services fail to call ahead with patient updates, they are unable to provide treatment even if the ambulances arrive at the facility. This has raised concerns, especially in cases where hospital staff allegedly do not answer calls from private services.
One serious incident involved a Priority 1 patient who was taken to a local government hospital in Phoenix. The patient was reportedly refused entry and redirected to a government clinic, which also refused treatment, citing that the hospital was the responsible facility. The delay lasted approximately two hours, during which the patient’s condition deteriorated. Fortunately, the patient was successfully resuscitated at the clinic and survived.
In a separate case, a Phoenix Government clinic bookings clerk instructed security guards to close the facility gates and deny access to an incoming ambulance responding to a serious motor vehicle accident involving entrapments. It is believed the clerk misunderstood the handwriting on the Patient Report Form, which led to the refusal, despite all handover protocols reportedly being followed.
These matters have since been escalated to the relevant health authorities for investigation.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and distress caused to patients and families who required emergency medical services during this period and were not attended to timeously. Efforts are underway to ensure that such incidents do not recur, and that emergency medical care remains accessible to all in need regardless of the ambulance service provider.
KZNVIP Medical
Info@kznvip.co.za
0315023456
