Groote Schuur Hospital’s (GSH) Urology Clinic diagnosed a Cape Flats resident for a neuro-urological condition. She was under their care for four years and during this time put on multiple courses of medication. The patient told me last year doctors abruptly said they had “misdiagnosed” – she did not have the condition after all. They offered no explanation or apology and casually discharged her. She now suffers from cortisone-induced diabetes , a potentially life-threatening chronic illness . The patient wrote to GSH’s “superintendent”, likely CEO Dr Bhavna Patel. She was called to a meeting and met Professor “Hickman”, the neuro-urology specialism head, and another doctor, likely part of the management team. Without the patient mentioning it at any stage in email or meeting, Hickman mentioned the prospect of the patient taking legal action, apparently all they were concerned about. She told them she understood misdiagnoses occur. All s...
Blog on medical and health matters with a focus on the Western Cape's public health system.