Yet another sheriff raids Gauteng health department
Department fails to pay R23m to woman whose baby daughter was brain-damaged after bad treatment at Bara hospital.
The Gauteng Health Department suffered the indignity yesterday of yet another raid by the Sheriff of the court to attach furniture from its head office to pay a court-ordered payment for medical negligence.
“The department was due to pay a R23 million settlement on September 18 to a woman whose baby daughter was brain-damaged after bad treatment at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital,” said Jack Bloom Democratic Alliances (DA) Gauteng Shadow for Health MEC.
Bloom said, “Medical staff failed to perform an immediate caesarean when her unborn baby showed signs of distress in June 2005.
“Despite warning letters by Wim Krynauw Attorneys, who represented the mother, the department failed to pay on time, which was why the Sheriff was called in.
“The department avoided the spectacle of furniture being attached only after frantic negotiations produced a settlement to make staggered payments.”
He says he is very disappointed that the department is still not respecting court-ordered payments.
“This occurs after the department suffered several raids by the Sheriff over the years because of non-payment of negligence awards.
“There were Sheriff visits in October and November, last year.”
Bloom said, “In the past five years the department has paid R544 million for medical negligence claims.
“The department should respect the court and make all payments in good time.”
