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The Gauteng Department of Health requests patients and their relatives to refrain from verbally or physically abusing health professionals when seeking medical treatment at clinics or hospitals. The department has noted with concern a number of incidents where health workers had experience unruly behaviour from patients’ escorts.

“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,” says Gauteng Department spokesman, Prince Hamnca.

“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,” said Hamnca.

“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,” added Hamnca.

In recent years, the department appointed complaints managers in all its hospitals in an effort to improve the quality of service offered. Complaints 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 in 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 they can call our 24 hour call centre which is 0860 011 000 to lodge any disgruntlement or otherwise,” concluded Hamnca.

Issued by: Gauteng Health