Update: Family alleges patient spent days in Frontier Hospital passage

Update (7 July 2026): This article has been updated to include a response from the Eastern Cape Department of Health, which was received after publication.

A Komani family has raised concerns over the treatment of an elderly relative following his transfer from Life Queenstown Private Hospital to Frontier Hospital earlier last week.

The family told Komani News they had been assured the transfer would be handled smoothly. However, they allege that after arriving at Frontier Hospital, the patient waited several days before being allocated a hospital bed.

They further claimed there was uncertainty over when he would be admitted to an appropriate ward. According to the family, the patient has a chest drain in place and requires ongoing medical care.

“We just want him to receive the care he needs,” a family member told Komani News.

In response to questions from Komani News, the Eastern Cape Department of Health confirmed that Frontier Hospital received the patient as a transfer from Life Queenstown Private Hospital.

The Department said the patient was assessed by the receiving clinical team on arrival and managed in the hospital’s casualty area while awaiting an available bed.

It also disputed the family’s claim that the patient had been left in a passage.

“Upon arrival, the patient was assessed by the receiving clinical team and managed in the hospital’s casualty area while awaiting an available bed. This is part of the hospital’s patient flow process when beds are not immediately available. He was not placed in a passage,” the Department said.

According to the Department, Frontier Hospital continues to manage high patient volumes as a regional referral hospital serving patients from across the Chris Hani and Joe Gqabi districts. It said bed allocation is based on clinical assessment, urgency and available capacity.

The Department said the patient was subsequently allocated a bed and admitted to a ward. It added that hospital staff also engaged with the family regarding the patient’s care and accommodation.

“The Department remains committed to ensuring that all patients receive appropriate care while facilities manage service pressures within available resources,” the statement said.