Gauteng Health pays over R7m in negligence case

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Pretoria - The Gauteng Health Department has paid costs related to a medical negligence case of a child who was born with permanent brain damage at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in 2009. 

The department on Tuesday processed a payment of over R7.6 million, which includes interest, after the High Court in Pretoria found the department liable for the damages claimed. 

Department spokesperson Prince Hamnca said as part of efforts to curb these kinds of claims, the department continues to train nurses in midwifery, advanced midwifery and neonatology.  

The training of nurses on neonatal resuscitation is also ongoing to improve the survival of babies and prevent injuries.

“To further strengthen and improve the quality of care, in the 2012/13 financial year, the department trained 188 doctors and 203 nurses to manage obstetric emergencies. In the same year, we also gave our nurses rigorous training to use early warning charts,” Hamnca said.

Other initiatives include monitoring and evaluating clinical practices through assessments using national core standards.

All units in health facilities are expected to conduct clinical audits at least once a month and all facilities are expected to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate quality improvement plans based on the gaps identified during investigation of serious adverse events.

The department is also offering ongoing training in all facilities to improve attitudes and communication between staff and patients, as well as monitoring and evaluating all improvement initiatives. – SAnews.gov.za