Gauteng speaks out against abuse of health workers

Monday, September 1, 2014

Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Health has called on patients and their relatives to refrain from abusing health professionals when seeking medical treatment at the province’s hospitals and clinics.

The department said it had received reports that health care staff were experiencing unruly behaviour from people escorting patients to these facilities.

“As a department, we are doing our best to protect health professionals, patients and other members of the public visiting public health care facilities. At the same time, we are calling on members of our communities to assist in ensuring that our health facilities remain the places of healing,” the provincial department’s spokesperson, Prince Hamnca, said on Monday.

The department appealed to all those seeking assistance at facilities to cooperate with health workers.

“We appeal all those who seek health care in our facilities to cooperate with health workers because such behaviour warrants them to pull away from the situation to protect themselves from harm.  During this period, patients who need critical medical care will suffer.

“Patients and their relatives should request information about processes being performed and get clarification rather than disturbing nurses and doctors in their quest to save lives,” said Hamnca.   

In recent years, the department has appointed complaints managers at all its hospitals in an effort to improve the quality of service offered.

These managers have the authority to deal with every aspect of complaints unless there is a legal claim or demand for monetary compensation.

If the complaint has resulted in injury or mortality, it will be reviewed by medical experts who sit on the Serious Adverse Events Committee.

“We are urging patients and members of the public to speak out if they are not happy with the quality of care or service they have received. They may lodge their complaints with the complaints manager or the office of the hospital Chief Executive Officer or Facility Manager at a clinic or community health centre.”

Alternatively patients can call the department’s 24 hour call centre on 0860 011 000 to lodge complaints. – SAnews.gov.za