Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

An elderly TC friend of ours who was in Kolan, when it was Cyprus Life, four years ago following a stroke, last week was admitted again to the hospital following a mild heart attack. His wife asked the ambulance to take him to the state hospital but was told they could not do that.
The nursing care or lack of it was shameful. He was in the same clothes for the five days he was there, as he is partially paralysed they put a pad on him as well as a catheter. This pad was not changed for three days, he came home wearing it and was raw and very sore. He was also unwashed for the entire stay.
His disabled wife was told he would be home after lunch on the day of his discharge. When she phoned at five pm to see when he would be home she was told not until she came to pay the bill. This couple are both nearly eighty.
Both were left very distressed at the lack of care given.
Their carers complained to the hospital as to the state he had been allowed to get Into. Kolan sent out a dermatologist, a doctor and a paramedic and they have given creams and antibiotics to solve the problems that the lack of basic nursing care caused.
This morning his carers have told them of a second very similar case of another of their patients coming home in the same state from Kolan.
What has gone wrong?
This hospital used to be excellent but from now on our friends have said they will not phone or use the ex VIP now Kolan clinic again. They seem only to be concerned about money not nursing care, hygiene or the patient's dignity.
Needless to say they have paid through the nose for the "care" given.

Report the case through the appropriate authorities getting poof of the mistreatment suffered. If necessary, get the hospital closed down until it provides the proper level of care. Our family signed up when it was VIP - never use it now though as much prefer other providers.

Oh dear. First of all I thin k it should be made clear that this is the same hospital as th eone in Lefkosia, The Kolan British, but that VIP Med transferred form their premises in Kyrenia to the hospitloa, so they are not actually Kolan, but working from within the premise.s obviously this makes it easier for them to refer patients to Kolan!!!!

Referring to the ambulanc,e someone must have called the Kolan ambulance, and if the State Hospital was wanted, then the normal ambulance service should have been called - so mix up number one. But as for treatment, has anyone else fund that things are not what they used to be? Plus the idea of referring to 'the authorites' - to whom? This is a private institution and nothing to do with the State.

Maybe someone connected with Kolan or VIP could post on here what might have gone wrong, and do something to save their reputation which looks as if it is ging downhill.

For myself, the lack of parking is a huge problem. I was told I oculd park on the rough ground opposite, but I see that this is no longer possible and one would have to turn down to the Rocks car park. I don't fancypushing hubby in a wheel chair(which I haven't got) all the way up the hill. aybe they chose the wrong premises.

Anyone got anything positive to add to this. I will pass on this ocmplaint to those I know who work there, and hope they might come up with some answer!

I am so blessed with being healthy, but.... it is a frightening thought as to what happens when sick, although I would go to the State hospital first and foremost. Privatge medical care means less coffees in Gloria Jeans!!!

Most hospitals lack nursing care as we were used to in Uk they expect relatives to be there to help with bathing etc sadly.

Confused! Is the original post about the Kolan British Hospital in Lefcosia, the same building that used to belong to Cyprus Life before they moved last year?

Yes Waddo confusing. I picked up on the last sentence which mentioned VIP which of course is at Kyrenia. There is still the hospital at lEFKOSIA AND THE kYRENIA ONE IS MORE OF A CLINIC. mAYBE THE FRIEND WAS TAKEN TO lEFKOSIA, THROUGH vip initial contact and the ambulance of Kolan which is in Kyrenia. The patient would no doubt have to go to Lefkosia for specialist help.

Deniz is quite right, but I think that now applies to the State system and not the private one.

But no matter which 'branch' it is still Kolan, and yes the one in Lefkosia used ot be Life, which was also housed in another building before it took over the Mid Kent premises (I think it is all the same premises which started as mid Kent, then Life, then Kolan - but am happy to stand corrected)

Deniz my friends care and treatment in the same hospital building, when it had changed from Medikent to Cyprus life four years ago was excellent. Care and nursing care were faultless, as you would expect in the private hospital.
This has not been the case now it is the business motivated Kolan British Hospital.

Thanks. Now I see. Different management and different staff. But I know there are some who say that the kolan has been marvelous to them. Can anyone confirm this?

Yes it was the Lefkosa hospital and as we were led to believe that VIP were bought out by Kolan basically yes they will refer you to the Lefkosa hospital if you phone the Girne clinic as the Girne clinic appears to be an integral Kolan partnership.
My elderly friends signed up with VIP and had no knowledge, as they are not computer literate, that VIP were now part of Kolan.
However when a confused eighty year old with a collapsed husband calls for an ambulance and asks for the state hospital then surely some common sense and understanding could be applied.
As for the pitiful state he was returned home in after five days of no basic nursing or hygiene care then this hospital should be ashamed. The carers were disgusted enough to phone and complain to the hospital as concerned carers.
I wouldn't treat a dog the way he has been treated.
This once excellent hospital appears to have lost its heart in the Persuit of money. It's a business and patient care is the least of their concerns it seems.
Four years ago he received excellent care, after his stroke, in the same building when it was run by Cyprus Life.

Tomsteel not sure who else complaints could be made to, the carers of this lovely couple have already complained to

the hospital and then have had a second similar scenario with another of their patients.

Marion's I myself have had excellent treatment there but with the staff that I knew from the Medikent/ Cyprus Life days.
Lately though I have found it uncomfortable to be escorted to and from doctors by young women whose main aim seems to be to ensure you pay at once even if you are distressed. Indeed these young women even come in with you to the doctors room and stay through examinations even when the doctor speaks English. I find that degrading and demeaning and not acceptable.

Marions.
VIP MED are no longer operating, everything including medical records for those how registered at VIP MED are now with the Kolon Girne.
Dr Turk and Dr Pembe work for the Kolon now.

Maybe time to seek out a new hospital then? Our friend recently had six days in the Nolan and the nursing care was excellent, I have to have monthly blood checks but after the first attempt by the Kolan I still go back to Cyprus Life! Anyone suggest a good heart doc then?

So sorry for your friends lets hope it doesnt happen again. How are they doing now?

I had some minor surgery at Kolan early this year and the aftercare was truly appalling. In spite of their promises of English speaking staff at all times, the only nurse on duty at night had no English at all - not that it mattered as she never came near my room all night anyway! When I came back to my room after the operation, fluids were spilled on the bed and I asked them to change the sheets. They never did this, only put a pad on the bed which seems to be their way. Hopeless place, would never go there again.

I too would not go to the Kolan again,after falling ill last August and it was serious I was taken to the Kolan and after a month of going every day for blood tests,scans etc.They were still no wiser,they sent me to Famagusta to have stent put in my billary duct at a cost of two thousand pounds,there was no surgery for this.Still none the wiser they finnished up sending me to the Near East where I saw a Dr Shaubaggi he was brilliant and after blood tests and scans he took me off tablets I was taking for a long term problem,I now am basically back to near normality no thanks to Kolan.

Was about to sign up with the Kolan at their Kyrenia Medical Centre. Am now having second thoughts.

Was with Medikent and had good service there, but stopped going when they were taken over by Cyprus Life who were more interested in profits than my life. I was impressed with Kolan this year, but then only went for a check up.

Service at the Near East has been inefficient, and other local hospitals have been unimpressive over the years so where do you go? (Not back to the UK).

The Ministry of Health is the appropriate authority for complaints of hospital care. Even private hospitals are controllable.

To jOE sOAP, Please share with us all when you have an answer to that. Alan and I have 'plans' should either of us be seriously ill as to where we would go and what to do (jumping off the roof is not an option as I would probably only break my leg and not my neck!). bUT IT IS A SERIOUS MATTER FOR WE EX PATS TO PONDER.

I also think it is one that most of us thought about before co ming here and deciding we would take our chances and hope things might improve. And improve they have - a lot, and when I came here most of the 'private' hospitals were little better than clinics. But now we have huge hospitals with modern equipment and that is reflected in a fee many of us cannot afford. Also the type of nursing staff here are not the same as u.K and other more developed nations that have more money for the system. (U.K. , however, seems to be walking backwards). And at the end of the day, these private hospitals are businesses and they have to balance the books. If they don't have the patients, they don't have income, and they can't afford to employ staff, but then that ruins their reputation and they have less patient,s and go bankrupt. What is the answer to that one?

There is also a considerable exodus of those who fear being seriously ill here. So Joe when you find the answer, do tell.

It is a tough one, and I am so thank ful for my good health, but aware it could change tomorrow, and it could well be facing promotion or demotion, depending on where my soul has to go.


But Joe you have asked the question that many are facing and others darenot ask.

I can say without a doubt that Cyprus Life saved my life! It is a long and boring story but safe to say that the care and treatment I received on a Saturday morning in the middle of a Bayram was second to none, that included the heart specialist and the neuologist attending when they were off on holiday, an MRI being instantly available when I arrived there and a full set of blood tests done on the sport with results provided within 25 min's. All of this and more cost me 450TL!!! To say I was sad when Cyprus Life moved is an understatement, however, I stayed with them until they were also subsumed by Kolan and only the Maternity side of Cyprus Life is now operating under their original name. I still see my heart specialist even through he has also moved to Kolan and apart from the blood tests every month which I go back to Cyprus Life for, I have - so far - no complaints. I have not (yet) had reason to be hospitalised in Kolan but now worry that this day always grows closer. Now I will seek an alternative from the many that are around.

I think my Turkish Cypriot friends here will point me in the right direction and any information I can find out I will pass along on this forum as normal. I will not return to the UK for NHS treatment as I probably would not survive the 6 month wait to get to see a doctor under the NHS (so glad I still pay my income tax in the UK!) system. Like a lot of people here I have restricted income and must chose wisely for the future so anything I find out will be passed on.

Thanks Deniz, he is home and recovering with the support of carers but with his age and condition hospital is always on the cards. They have said they will never use Kolan again and say the state hospital is a better option.

I have stayed with Kolan only because my Medikent/Cyprus Life doctor also now works for Kolan as does Dr Silem.
When I was admitted to hospital though Dr Silem sent me to the Baskent in Lefkosa. Care was good and the food came from Niazi's off the menu for the evening meal!

As I understand it - from their initial advertising campaign, the Kolan British Hospital is part of the Kolan Hospital Group: http://www.kolanhastanesi.com.tr/en-EN/home.aspx

Perhaps the best point of contact for complaints against the service/staff/hospital in general would be direct to the Group so that they are also aware that their reputation is on the line.

Topten: glad you were sorted out by Dr Ali Shorbagi at Near East. We have found him to be a really great gastroenterologist, very thorough and caring. Lovely guy.

Isn't it strange that the forum hasn't had a strong defence on behalf of The Kolan from Nurse Awful. It was she who spent a considerable amount of time on this forum convincing everyone that VIP Med and then Kolan was the hospital we should put our faith in. As money is tight and we live on our pensions I would like to see someone from this establishment convince me that we haven't made mistakes when we signed up with them. (3 months later and we still haven't had a visit to check on our address). That was obviously a load of rubbish and I wonder how much more information we were given turns out to be.

For the life of me I do not understand why people do not go straight to the state hospital in Girne or Lefkosa. You will get the same doctor in all likelihood, as most of them do state and private as a matter of course. Why pay three or four times as much as you need to?

Sophie-I agree,I signed up with VIP Med on the basis of a 'British Doctors Practice' as I'm sure many others did.

At the time the surgery was conveniently located and had good parking.

I too was told with GPS they would come straight to your home in the event of an emergency in the middle of the night.

I was concerned when they moved to a busy part of town with no easy parking-According to Marions you have to park at the Rocks and stagger up a hill!

Fortunately for me I am in Rude health (Rude in every aspect to be fair)but one day that might not be the case.

Dismayed also by the poor reports of the Kolan Hospital,It leaves me very confused if there is a need for urgent attention .

-who do I call?

So, what I need to know is, who do I go to for general GP stuff, if I am just a bit ill(manflu for example),and then where do I go If I am really. really Ill?

English speaking preferred-mind you that's a big ask in the UK these days!

Any recommendations are much appreciated.

Frontalman, I totally agree with you and have used the services of the Girne hospital on more than one occasion, they are particularly good in an emergency, however as Philoz says, there are times when all you need is the equivalent of a GP, and that's when the system appears to fall down

Philoz, if it is only man flu, the most common male ailment. I always find the lady pharmacist in YANKI pharmacy in Ozankoy on the Bellapais road, is more knowledgeable than any of the GPs I have used. She looked at one of my late husband's blood tests and told him he needed a blood transfusion, before he went to the GP. He was in hospital on a drip within 4 hours!

Agreed - state hospital every time. As has been said, most of the time they are the same specialists (I believe it is a rule that they work in the State hospitals as well as private practice.)

As I don't get Man Flu, I don't have to worry, but I do find if I have something amiss which is a nuisance the local pharmacist is a wonder! Not like U.K, No prescriptions much of the tim,e but tell them what ails you and an answer will appe,r and almost guaranteed to work, And that goes fo rour pets as well! A great strength of this country that th e pharmacists are SO knowledgeable.

But if something else, find out who the specialist is and go direct. For instance when my husband had his third DVT but here (the previous 2 were in Australia) then off to see the specialist . We suspected what it was.

Or of occurs,e you can still go and see Dr Tunc at theKolan for a diagnosis! But that walk up the hill is not for 'Im Downstairs.

Any other ideas anyone?

oH AND pHILOZ, I AM ALSO IN 'RUDE' HEALTH, ALTHOUGH I TRY TO AVOID ANYTHING ELSE 'RUDE' IN MYLIFE!

Well my elderly friend requested the state hospital but was denied that because she had made the mistake of calling Kolan clinic in Girne. Not something she will be doing again.

For man flu and General ailments Dr Silem at the Green Clinic in Girne is excellent. She speaks excellent English. Having got antibiotics from the chemist for what I thought was a chest infection, they didn't work, so after a week I went to see Dr Silem who diagnosed Pneumonia and pleurisy and she had me admitted instantly to the Baskent hospital in Lefkosa and said next time go straight to a doctor not the chemist.

I too wondered why Nurse Awful hadn't responded. I was with my friend when she registered at VIP and Chris was extolling the virtues of the Near East hospital. When Kolan bought out VIP she was then praising Kolan to the hilt.
Is Chris still in fact working at Kolan clinic?

There are plenty of good GP type doctors here, Dr Cenkler in Girne (used to be main 'on call' doctor at Cheshire homes) or Dr Hasan sav in Lefkosa.

Mine is Dr. Munur Hudaverdi near to the Jasmine Court turn off. He is really on the ball. 0392 815 2327 the whole family are doctors.

It is not strictly speaking true that all doctors work for the state as well as privately. The majority of docs at Near East, for instance, are employed only there. My GP, Dr Hakan Attaker, is also private only. Would highly recommend him. He is in Girne - if you drive past HSBC (on your left) and take the second left turn (Pegasus) on the corner, he is about 100 yards down the road on the right hand side next door to Letams. Alternatively you can see a GP in Girne Hospital by going to the Poly Clinic in the morning.

Deniz 1

Dr Hudaverdi discovered I had a weight problem and helped remove the pounds from my wallet. He is the last person I would go to if I was ill.

I went to Dr Munur 10yrs ago when I first arrived, not knowing anyone else. Had problems with my stomach area, he asked me to lay on the couch, put his hands between my legs and told me to cough.He announced then I had a hernia .He also gave me some medication and on my return visit told me I was ok "he was batting the other way today". I have not returned.

The State hospital is excellent for emergency treatment. They were there for me when I needed them, so no criticism of the treatment I received. However it's a fact that there is no nursing care. The relatives of patients provide that service.
If you have no relatives to come in to see to your needs you're stuffed.
I lay in soiled bed linen for five days, unable to get out of bed to go to the bathroom, I didn't get the opportunity to have a wash or any kind of basic hygene
Need to add that the relatives of other patients were extremely kind to me

After I escaped I was booked to return for a procedure but just couldn't face returning. I went instead to the British Kolan where I received excellent treatment and full nursing care.

Very sad to hear that the care at the B Kolan has deteriorated to this level

Dr Attaker was the one who gave me anti biotics which led to a heart problem Dr Munur was horrified when I told him which tablets they were and he didnt charge me.

Joe Soap - I just LERV your wit!

But why hasn't anyone from Kolan posted on here. I even advised someone working there that this thread was running and needed to be addressed - but complete silence. Maybe they ar eon holiday.

But thanks for all the useful information this has brought out. I am sure that answers for all of us are in there somewhere.

I must confess my first port of call would be the local hospital, but as has been said - no rellies, no help.'

If The Kyrenia Medical Clinic is a part of the Kolan as suggested by a previous contributor, then I wish to share this tale of woe with you. For the last three weeks, I have had an old friend as his wife staying, known them both for 45 to 50 years. Before he came he got clearance from his doctor to travel as he has undergone heart bypass and has a pacemaker fitted and all was well for first 10 days. Then suddenly he felt unwell, his wife suggested that a course of anti-biotic would usually solve the problem, so off to the chemist we went and the chemist carefully selected a suitable medicine, taking into account the medications he was taking. After two days it was clear that he was not improving, so I took them to the Kyrenia Medical Clinic, where he underwent tests and had a long consultation with a Dr Levant. This cost 450 Tl and in addition another 300 Tl for blood test. The doctor prescribed different anti-biotic and said to call him anytime if there was a problem. During this visit I was approached by an English lady, who appeared be some sort of receptionist and she offered me the chance to join their GP List. This offered a free general health check and access, at a price to the clinics facilities. These were listed on a hand out paper and included home visits and ambulance availability 24/7 for emergencies. My friend became progressively worse and three days later was unable to move or speak. I called Dr. Levant at 5.30 in the morning. I called him 7 times before he replied and he told me nothing he could do, call 112 and State Hospital. I called the Kyrenia Medical Clinic twice to be told, "Sorry don't speak English - call doctor". I called 112 and requested ambulance service which arrived in 18 minutes. The young nurse on board immediately diagnosed Sugar deficiency as he was also diabetic (unbeknown to me). She gave him honey and he was wisked away to Girne Hospital. Three hours later he walked out having been pumped full of glucose solution. He has now fully recovered and flew home yesterday. Now the question must be why did the blood tests not show a deficiency of sugar and why did a nurse recognise the diabetic problem that the doctor missed. Also what happened to the 24/7 service that does not exist. I would not go there again/

Wow. At leas tone thing, this does show that the State system is reliable. It isjust thenursing care - but then it is not a 5 star hotel. It was fortunate that this wa spicke dup as he could have gone into a coma. I am not sur,e but is this kyrenia Medicla Centre connected with the Kaminoglu Hospital (I think that is how one spells it) down the turning by little Tempo and also in the same street as the vet's, whereas the former VIP med is at Kolan which is in the one way system of the'High Street'. But wherever it wa,s it seems another let down and that promises made could not be maintaine,d possibly due to lack of funding and staff. The one good thing about the State hospital is thatyou know they have the staff!

As I sya, for me it would be State first! Thanks for sharing the story.

Yes Marions it is the one by Pertev the vet and I forgot to mention that the ambulance and the care given at the State Hospital was charged at 100 Tl.

Thanks for tha tinof. But I believe they charge for ambulances in U.K now as well. Is that correct. I guess 100tl is a fair sum to pay - but of course anyone hwo is extremely poor that would hurt, but then locals get it for free, I hope!

This Kyrenia Medical Centre started up after VIP Med, and would appear that its hpes and dreams have not been realized, as the hopes and dreams of the patient.s I believe it is great if youw ant a check up - well woman, and well man etc, and that it represents great value fo rmoney.

So did this case get reported to the Medical Ministry?

No not reported, they have gone home now anyway. By airing the story on here, perhaps people will become more aware and more careful and this might impact on the people concerned and that seems to me a better option.

well what can I add to this topic,if it was not for Dr Turk and his staff at the then VIP my husband would be dead,he had suffered a massive burst aneurysm in the stomach,he was promptly dispatched to the Kolan in Lefkosa where he underwent major surgery and survived, there were 5 surgeons working on him!!!!!the nursing staff who I must add were briallant did not all speak English.This barrier was overcome,i have nothing but praise for Kolan,but that's just my opinion

Someone has asked why Chris (nurse awful) has not replied, well I think she may well be on holiday. I had to go in 2 weeks ago to pick up an oxygen tank for someone who was coming out for a holiday, and she said she wouldn't be in last week, don't know about this week.

Sorry to say but I had a horrific time at the local Girne hospital 2 years ago. I was seriously ill unable to breathe. Three doctors and about 6 nurses attended me in the ER. My poor husband was in a state as you can imagine and they sent him out to the local chemist ( this was about 7.30pm ) for some morphine. No perscription nothing but he was in a panic. Luckily for me he could not find a chemist open. One of my husbands brothers ( turkish cypriots ) is a doctor and on seeing to me realized I had sky high blood pressure and pneumonia. If they had have gotten the morphine they would have killed me. After they managed to control my BP etc I was put into the high care unit. The only room that has a heart monitor, I had a catheter inserted ( even though I was fully concious and mobile. Three pillows on the bed but no cases on them, dried blood on the bed rail and my catheter was leaking on the floor but no one bothered to clean it up. I signed myself out after 24 hours but they would not remove the catheter until I had paid the bill even though I have been resident here for 27 years and have a kimlik card!!!!!.
Like many, I cannot afford private treatment so it takes some serious thought about my future here.

The Kyrenia Medical Centre and The Kolan Centre are NOT the same business.

Kyrenia Medical Center:- I completed the registration form, I complained about a sore hip. I wasn't offered the free tests that you are supposed to receive. I saw the doctor after waiting over and hour, he felt around and prescribed tablets and said that I needed an MRI, come back in a week, and we can do it here he said. I went back 1 week later and he told me to go to Lefkosia to a MRI clinic, as their machine wasn't hooked up yet, so we went and it was closed, so I went straight to the Near East and asked them for a MRI and showed them the paperwork, to which the girl on reception replied our machine is having technical difficulties. Went back to Lefkosia and had the MRI done, drove back to the KMC to see the doctor and he didn't even bother to look at the DVD, just read the paperwork that went with it and said what was the matter.
So on someone elses opinion I know what is wrong with me. The initial cost was 100TL that was for him to tell me to get an MRI Scan.

Is there any surprise then that people return to their homeland in the UK or if a local just fly to the UK and get NHS treatment? Oh, and no, you don't pay for an ambulance in the UK.

Despite the perceived worries over the UK NHS, it's still where I'd want to be (with no disrespect to the local A & E) if I was seriously ill especially in an emergency.

In view of the aforementioned confusion about which hospital is which and what hospital is called what, is it not possible for someone i.e. BRS or preferably Trevor Hughes, who does seem to get things pretty right, compile a definitive list of the respective names of all the hospitals. For instance, I have a friend who would bet his pension on name of one hospital when he means the other. The Girne State Hospital and the Girne Private Hosptal in the little road just off the road where the rear access to the Pia Bella Hotel is. (The Girne State Hospital has a Turkish name but I can't for the life of me remember what it is) Its so easy to get these two mixed up. What ever hospital you sign up to, to the best of my knowledge only the State Hospital has the appropriate equipment and staff to cope with dire emergencies. I know the private are making efforts to upgrade.

My husband attended Girne Private Hospital with blood poisoning in July after a little cat scratch. He said to the GP if you can just give me some antibiotics for this please (his leg was black) I will take them at home. The doctor was horrified and told him he was going nowhere except into a bed. He was there fighting septicimaea (spelt wrongly I am aure) on an antibiotic drip and the care was wonderful. The bill was 1000 tl which was absolutely amazing. He thought it would be about 1000 stirling. The care could not have been better - he knew it was good though because he had a knee joint replacement there 2 years ago.

Unlike Dr Munur Hudeverdi who charged me 500 stirling for treating a severe ear infection - injections for 7 days as out outpatient 9 years ago. Unless you are incredibly well heeled stay away from him. I also found him a little creepy and felt uncomfortable with his attentions!

Suehowlittle, you are not wrong about Dr. Manure, (I gave him that name in 2007) and it stuck , I was going to say like s--t.

We got ripped off by him and many many woman who have been there have had the same experience that you mention, only sometimes much worse. On my first visit to him he actually said to me , when you better we go night club, we get some Natashas, and we **** well you can imagine the rest. I said that's fine if your paying , he declined at that.

Only in TRNC .