Residents have their say: ‘Patients go where we have beds’
When beds in private hospitals are fully occupied, some private patients may therefore be moved to public healthcare facilities. Polokwane residents had the following to say about the situation:
Beds in private hospitals are fully occupied and some private patients may therefore be moved to public healthcare facilities.
In a statement last week, Premier Chupu Mathabatha updated the media after a virtual Provincial Coronavirus Command Council meeting was held regarding the province’s Covid-19 management response.
Health MEC, Phophi Ramathuba emphasised that the department places the needs of patients first above all, and said all patients are allowed to use public facilities.
“The truth of the matter is that public facilities are intended for everyone including those who prefer private facilities. We have seen some of our professionals also opting to go to public institutions for treatment as opposed to private institutions.”
According to Ramathuba, the department has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with private institutions that will allow them to transfer patients.
“We have received some patients who are settling in well, these are patients that were in need of hospitilisation and are now receiving the care they require.”
Fabion Bennet, Hospital Manager at Pholosho Netcare says the institution has not transferred any patients as they still have the capacity to deal with the current patient load.
“We currently have a fluid admission system whereby patients are admitted, they recover and are discharged. We have an understanding with the department where we engage each other based on the needs of our patients. This is not a new thing as we have made use of public services in the past when there was a need.”
He says this arrangement is mutually beneficial as the hospital does not know what the demand of beds will be.
MC Botha, Hospital Manager at Mediclinic Limpopo, says the hospital will follow specific processes should the need arise.
“A formal document has been drafted in the case that some transfers need to be made, but that will only come into play if we are not able to meet the demand from our patients.”
Polokwane residents had the following to say about the situation:
