Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu is very concerned about the number of attacks against health professionals in public health facilities.
“It is disturbing to inform you that during the period January 2015 to date, about 65 health professionals were assaulted while performing their duties at our facilities,” said Mahlangu. Helen Joseph Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital were identified as two of the hospitals where the staff has been attacked.
The department requests patients who experience difficulties in any health institution to report their concerns to the quality assurance officers based at all institutions. If they are not satisfied, they should report to the chief executive officers of the respective hospitals or the clinic managers. “Their concerns will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated,” said Mahlangu.
To reduce the number of assaults, the department has implemented security at the emergency medical departments and mental health wards, also known as high risk wards. These facilities will have both physical barriers and security officials.
Patients brought in by the police or correctional services are kept under guard and psychiatric hospital staff are continuously trained on management of aggressive patients. “Aggressive and violent patients in wards are sedated and isolated in seclusion rooms. All wards at psychiatric hospitals have CCTV cameras to assist in monitoring patients continuously,” said Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Steve Mabona.
Mahlangu said that health professionals are also encouraged to treat patients with care, dignity, respect and act with constraint even during confrontation. “Attacks on health professionals are completely unacceptable. It will not be tolerated,” she said.
The MEC said that health professionals should be protected by society as they are vital in the delivery of quality health care. “Such violent actions are taken seriously and will be reported to the police,” said Mahlangu.
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