DEPARTMENT PAYS MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE COSTS

The Gauteng Department of Health has paid costs related to a medical negligence case of a child who was born with permanent brain damage at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in 2009.

Yesterday, the Department processed a payment in excess of R7.6 million which includes interest after the High Court in Pretoria found the department liable for the damages claimed.

Department's spokesperson, Prince Hamnca said as part of the efforts to curb these kinds of claims, the department continues to train nurses in midwifery, advanced midwifery and neonatology.  The training of nurses on neonatal resuscitation is also ongoing to improve the survival of babies and prevent injuries.

"To further strengthen and improve the quality of care, in the 2012/2013 financial year, the department trained 188 doctors and 203 nurses to manage obstetric emergencies; in the same year we also gave our nurses a rigorous training to use early warning charts," he said.

Other initiatives include monitoring and evaluation of clinical practice through assessments using National Core Standards;  with it, all units in facilities are expected to conduct clinical audits at least once a month and  all facilities are expected to develop, implement, monitor and evaluate Quality Improvement Plans based on the gaps identified during investigation of Serious Adverse Events.

The Department is offering on-going training in all facilities to improve attitudes and communication between staff and patients as well as monitoring and evaluation of all improvement initiatives

Statement issued by Gauteng Department of Health Head of Communications, Prince Hamnca, November 25 2014

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter