Why did it take nine hours for a mother to receive treatment for a brain aneurysm?

In a fight for accountability, the family of a mother with a brain aneurysm shares their distressing experience at Mitchells Plain Hospital. The family of a 39-year-old mother of three will be seeking legal action against Mitchells Plain District Hospital after she allegedly waited nine hours before being seen by a doctor or receiving medical treatment for a brain aneurysm. Noerisah Sonday has since undergone a DSA coil brain procedure at Groote Schuur Hospital, where she was transferred and remains in high care.

Doctors also suspect possible meningitis, according to the family. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has since confirmed the inception of an investigation into the complaint. Bougardt explained that Sonday collapsed on March 3 and was rushed to the hospital just after 3 pm, presenting the following symptoms: severe head pain, blocked ears, loss of muscle strength, and bowel issues.

Despite the seriousness of her symptoms, she was coded green and had to wait for nine hours before being seen by a doctor he said. “Around 8pm, they (family) approached the staff because she was clearly getting worse,” he said. “They were told this is the busiest hospital in the province, that there were resuscitation cases, and that waiting time is 6–8 hours, so she must wait like everyone else.

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They tried to explain that her symptoms suggested a possible brain bleed, but no one listened.” Finally, at 00:22 – nine hours later – a doctor informed them that she needed to be transferred to Groote Schuur Hospital for a suspected brain bleed. “She only left Mitchells Plain Hospital after 3 am and arrived at Groote Schuur after 4am, that is almost 12 hours after collapsing. Even when she arrived there, she was still classified as Code Green, causing further delays.

“Eventually, scans confirmed the seriousness of her condition. She was only admitted to the high-care neurosurgical ward after 8pm on March 4. On March 5, doctors had to perform a DSA coil brain procedure through the groin to stop the bleeding.” The family is asking several questions, including whether triage nurses are properly trained and why doctors are not part of the triage process.

Sonday’s sister, who spoke on behalf of the family, stated that they would pursue legal action and that the impact has been significant: “Before this incident, she was responsible for running the household while her husband worked. Since her medical emergency, their daily lives have been significantly affected. Her husband is currently unable to work as he needs to care for their daughters and manage the household. As a result, the family currently has no income and is relying on family support for basic needs, such as food.”

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