The death of a Bedfordview domestic worker has left her employers with more than just heartbreak – it has left them with anger.

Mr Bill and Mrs Elizabeth Brunjes have accused the Edenvale Hospital of negligence in their handling of Mrs Johanna Sekhu upon her arrival at casualty.

According to Mr Brunjes, Mrs Sekhu fell ill recently and was taken to hospital by an ambulance on October 1.

“On Saturday she was not looking good and so we advised her to stop working and to go and lie down. Later in the afternoon she asked us to take her to hospital as she was feeling really bad. We tried to get her into our car, but because she was so ill that she could not move herself, we had to call an ambulance,” said Mr Brunjes.

He said because of the condition she was in when the ambulance took her away, the family did not expect her to return home on the same day.

“To our surprise, we received a phone call later that evening to come and collect her. On arrival at the hospital we found her huddled in a wheelchair in the foyer, waiting to be taken away. Her situation had remained unchanged and she was still in terrible discomfort and not even able to help herself to get into the car. We were horrified that the hospital had discharged her under such conditions,” he said.

Mr Brunjes said he questioned why she was being let go without a proper diagnosis.

“I then went to find a doctor to object, pointing out that she was in no condition whatsoever to be discharged as she should really be in ICU under the circumstances. The doctor stated that X-rays had been taken and blood samples drawn for testing and that we should bring her back the next Monday. I again objected and wanted to know by what rationale she had been discharged when she was clearly desperately ill for all to see. The response was that she did not meet the criteria for admission. The doctor then told me families should take responsibility for patient care,” said Mr Brunjes.

When asked to comment, Edenvale Hospital’s clinical manager, Dr Donald Maluleka, said the institution was saddened by Mrs Sekhu’s death.

He confirmed she was seen at the hospital’s casualty and that blood samples and X-rays were taken.

“The basic treatment was commenced and we were waiting for the results, thus on Monday she was told to come back for further treatment. Admission by itself is not treatment,” said Dr Maluleka.

Mrs Sekhu was laid to rest on October 8 at her home in Limpopo.

The couple said she was part of their family.

“My children and grandchildren loved and adored her. She was their granny Johanna. Her children also visited us often,” said Mrs Brunjes.

She said she will miss Mrs Sekhu’s smile and sense of humour.

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