Problems within the hospital are not simply the shortage of specialists and dedicated nurses. It is the careless abuse of equipment, poor maintenance (I pray every time I have to catch a lift), neglect and filth in a place that should be scrupulously clean.

To be fair, the hospital deals with unbelievable numbers [of patients] on a daily basis.

But hospitals should be clean, safe, quiet places where sick people can recover in peace with the reassurance that equipment is working and the necessary medication is available. Patients should not have to feel neglected, frightened, worried or insecure.

But not all units at the hospital are like this - and not all the nurses are sloppy. There are places, like the day ward in Hospital Street, where patients feel as though they have walked into a private hospital. It would be wonderful if the whole hospital could follow the example of one unit. If they can get it right, why can't the rest? - Burgie Ireland, registered nurse and midwife, by e-mail

AS A former nursing sister whose training hospital was Charlotte Maxeke, I am not surprised this story has made headlines, but am shocked it has taken so long.

It is high time the powers that be took regular walks around all the hospitals to see what is going down.

Pretoria's Steve Biko Academic Hospital is in such serious trouble that many of the high-risk surgical procedures are cancelled due to a lack of qualified anaesthetists and specialists.

Stock is at its lowest ever. Doctors request products in theatre, and are told there is none.

Many department heads are advising their staff to seek alternative employment as they cannot guarantee their pay cheques in future.

Something which is fast becoming a reality is that South Africa is joining the rest of Africa with its shockingly poor [health] standards.

This is a tragedy as we are privileged to have some of the best and most respected doctors in the world right here in our country.