The New Somerset Hospital in Cape Town has denied accusations of abuse after an 82-year-old patient died on Monday, with her family saying she had sustained massive bruising while receiving treatment. She was admitted a week ago for seizures.
The family said Afia Phillips died after receiving medical treatment at the hospital. Family spokesperson Ruwayda Gierdien told News24 they had all taken turns in sleeping over at the hospital after they had complained and voiced concerns about the bruises on their aunt’s body.
“We still don’t have any answers. Nothing has been said to us. My aunt was very frail and she suddenly had bruises all over her back and we don’t know what caused those. We need answers and the hospital must be held accountable,” she added.
Gierdien said there wasn’t “a single scratch” on her aunt’s body on the day she was admitted, and that the hospital had contacted the family the next morning and told them Phillips’ health had deteriorated.
“They said she allegedly got up to go to the toilet, fell and then knocked her head. She had a gash on her head with three stitches, which was impossible because she could not walk,” she said.
That evening the hospital contacted the family again and told them another accident had occurred.
“They claimed they were taking her for X-rays when she jumped off the bed and broke her arm,” Gierdien said.
Gierdien said the family couldn’t understand the hospital’s claims because her aunt was unable to walk, let alone jump.
The hospital’s management said it was aware of the incident and the allegations. “We take patient safety and dignity very seriously, especially where vulnerable patients are concerned. However, we want to make it clear that the allegations of abuse and negligence are untrue.
“The patient’s injuries were the result of her medical condition. We met with the family on Wednesday, 12 October, where management, the head of nursing, and medical and orthopaedic doctors addressed the family’s concerns,” it said.
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