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Cape Town - In reaction to the debate about the high cost of private hospital care, a number of Fin24 users - ranging from medical specialists to private and public hospital staff and patients - shared their views and experiences.
READ: Debate on high hospital costs hots up
Fin24 user Rick shares his experience:
I was recently instructed to report to a private hospital in the Boland for an angiogram.
I checked in at 07:h00 and was told the theatre had been booked for 08:00. I was escorted to my ward by 07:05.
Once there, I was basically ignored and left wondering what is going on. Twice someone said "we will be with you shortly". Only at about 10:15 did they tell me to get into a gown and over the next hour forms were filled in and blood pressure taken.
All of a sudden there was urgency as I was now late for my theatre booking and they had to rush through the pre-operation measures.
I was wheeled to the operating room where I lay for 45 minutes - once again ignored until my private doctor came over to tell me there had been a delay due to them running out of local anaesthetic and they had to source more.
After another 15 minutes I was wheeled into the operating room. The operation was very well run by the staff and the quality of care, once there, was excellent. Once the operation was finished I was wheeled back to my ward where I lay in bed for over an hour wondering what happens next.
They did, however, bring me lunch.
Eventually I asked what is happening and they said I could get dressed. About another hour later my doctor came in and spent five minutes with me. He explained the results, which were all good, and said no further procedures or medication were needed and that I could go home. This was at about 16:00.
The total bill was over R30 000. I really would love to see the detailed account outlining exactly how they justify those charges for nine hours.
ALSO READ: Broker rejects blame for hospital costs
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Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyFin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views of users published on Fin24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.
