Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital (Netcare)

"To get hold of Christiaan Barnards accounts department is an absolute nightmare, you get transferred to multiple departments and never get hold of the correct department - the service is absolutely putrid!! They just put the phone on hold so that they do not have to deal with sick, worried patients and other service providers - how can such a big institution run on these kinds of principles? The doctors are amazing but the back of house sucks!"

"My husband was admitted to Christiaan Barnard hospital last week. During his stay he had numerous tests done. He is over 80 years old and was fragile during his stay. He had various tests done and the diagnosis was TIA. Neither he nor I have been sent the results of these tests. It would be nice to have them for our own reference and understanding and also for his future health care and decisions. It would be appreciated if these could be sent to myself on email. I understand he had a Catscan, ultra sounds and blood tests. Thank you"

"To the Labour and Maternity staff (incl my gynae Dr Apollos, Dr Whitehead, Dr Krige, catering staff) at Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital, thank you so very much for the incredible care and attention you gave me, my baby and hubby during and after the delivery of our little girl. We felt seen and loved and in safe hands. ❤️"

"My doctors were amazing but my first night after surgery I had a very unpleasant experience with the nurse that was suppose to take care of me. She came prepared to sleep with warm saline bottles tucked under her arm. She told me to keep my arms under the blankets even tough my blood pressure was dropping and my oxygen levels. Every time I told her I was in pain she would tell me to relax and go sleep. She treated me as if I was a nuisance and a hindrance to her getting her nights rest. Mind you this is the same day I had L5 to S1 nerve decompression surgery. This woman eventually just ignored me. I asked to speak to the person in charge which turned out to be a big mistake. When I told her what was happening and the meds I was taken she had the audacity to tell me how must she smell what medication I’m taking but the male nurse who would assist me eventually could tell me exactly what my meds were. The nurse in charge was condescending and treated me as if I was the problem . At this point I was in so much pain. She took my nurse out of the room and I could hear her telling the nurse not to cry even though I was in tears. The male nurse in the next cubicle came to assist me when I realised that my right arm was rock hard and throbbing because my supposed nurse did not listen when I kept telling her I’m in pain. It turns out that my pain drip was no longer in my vein but the fluids were draining into the muscle in my arm. The male nurse removed the drip and placed it in my left arm. The nurse in charge kept making comments about she doesn’t know who’s going to wash me coz she can’t assist coz she needs to find staff and the male nurse will have to wash me and I’m a female. A caregiver then told me that my husband was allow to come and wash me but when I asked the nurse in charge she said that he couldn’t come and wash me and let the nurse who totally disregarded my care come and wash me . When the hand over was done the nurse in charge told the new nurse that my husband will becoming at 11 to wash me. I was stunned and disgusted that this was the same woman who told me that my husband could not come to wash me. I was in bed 11 and the male nurse in the next cubicle knew what was happening. Between the two women they did not do the job they were paid to do. To have a patient who just had surgery treated like a nuisance had me in tears. I absolutely love my doctors but I definitely will not be back at Chris Barnard if I can help it."

"I'm writing this from my hospital bed looking at the beautiful panoramic view of Cape Town, Table Mountain and the harbour. I'm in remission with Stage-4 cancer and so know about hospitals, chemo rooms and all - and want to praise Christian Barnard Memorial Hospital! The facilities are immaculate and state-of-the-art. The staff are amazing: compassionate, patient, alert and really helpful. The food is great. This is exactly what an excellent hospital should be! Thank you Christian Barnard Memorial Hospital! P.S: Sadly the same cannot be said of Vergelgen Mediclinic in Somerset West."