The Gauteng Health Department (GHD) spent over R155 million on medico-legal claims in the last Auditor General (AG) audit of the department.
The total settlements paid out in 2014 from Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital was R24 070 800 which included three different cases of negligence on treating pregnant patients who gave birth to babies with Cerebral Palsy.
At Rahima Moosa, the GHD had to pay R600 000 for negligence because of a pair of scissors was left in a patient’s abdomen.
Johannesburg Hospital (Joburg Gen) paid R1 000 000 for administering of a drip to a patient’s lower arm, resulting in it being amputated.
These cases took two to three years from date of claim to date of settlement.
“There has been a long decline and not much evidence of a successful turnaround since the department’s last clean audit in 2006,” said Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC.
The acting MEC for Health, Lebogang Maile responded to questions sent by Bloom with the following:
· For the past five years over 1196 court cases of medical negligence have been opened at hospitals in Gauteng.
· In 2012 to 2013: 302 court cases were opened and the number increased in 2013-2014 to 490.
· Over 188 patients in the last financial year have taken the department to court for negligence.
· 77 cases have been settled out of court; while 17 were lost in court.
· For the past five years the department has only settled 94 out of 1196 court cases that involved the GHD.
· 17 claims for medical negligence have been settled with financial pay-outs for this year alone.
· R79 585 709 was paid out in 2014.
· R793 267 705 is being claimed by patients.
· In 2013 the GHB paid out R359 170 697, while in 2014 R5 615 303 was paid for medical negligence.
GHD said it refers cases to a panel of Medical Advisors and Specialists for an early resolution and consideration for settlement.
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