Chaos at overcrowded Natalspruit Hospital
Jack Bloom, DA shadow MEC of Health, says that he is hugely disappointed at reports of overcrowding at the newly-opened Natalspruit Hospital.
“Many patients are forced to sleep in chairs or on the floor, and even in the corridors. It’s a beautiful new hospital, but chaos reigns in certain departments because of the bed shortage,” he says.
Bloom adds that in Ward 18, women who have had miscarriages endure the further stress of being moved from a bed to a chair as new arrivals come in.
“This is not what was expected when the new 821-bed hospital was opened with great fanfare by Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, who called it the hospital of the future.”
According to him, hospital management must urgently come up with a plan to handle the overcrowding, including down-referral to local clinics for less serious cases.
Prince Hamnca, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Health, says that the hospital is facing the challenge of overcrowding.
“The overcrowding is worsened by walk-in patients with no referrals from primary healthcare facilities.
“Majority of these patients do not need secondary care level, so they end up utilising resources that should be used for critical patients,” Hamnca says.
He says that the community is urged to present themselves at their local clinics for treatment and they will be referred to hospitals when in need of specialised care.
“People should visit the hospital only when referred by level one facilities or emergency cases, but not just as walk-in patients.
“All Community Healthcare Centres and clinics now provide services for patients with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, epilepsy, TB and those on ARV treatment,” says Hamnca. – @CarmenBoksburg
