Durban — Problems at Wentworth Hospital were brought to the fore following an outcry from patients and an unannounced visit by Dr Imran Keeka, MPL recently.
Patients from surrounding communities of the Bluff, Merebank and Wentworth have complained about poor service at the hospital for years.
The newly formed Wentworth Hospital Committee (WHC) said enough is enough and plans a peaceful march to the hospital on October 1 to hand over a memorandum to hospital officials.
Newly elected WHC member, Olivia Jones told the Daily News that the community met last month as they were frustrated with the service from staff at Wentworth Hospital.
“During the meeting, many horror stories were told. Upon forming the committee the very next day (August 22, 2024) the first email was sent to the acting CEO with all department heads copied, requesting a meeting. It was not acknowledged. It was followed up by another email two days later.”
She said the WHC did not receive feedback from the hospital. The committee was advised to contact the two eThekwini ward councillors for them to set up a meeting with the hospital management team.
“We met the councillors on September 3. They were going to set up a meeting for the following Tuesday. To date we have not met with the hospital management team to see how best we can assist them with sorting out all the issues at the hospital,” Jones said.
Keeka, the DA KZN spokesperson on health, visited the hospital to identify the key issues, specifically the out-patient department – both acute and chronic – along with the casualty and pharmacy areas.
Keeka said that at the time of visiting, waiting times were so bad that patients who arrived at 7am, were waiting until 4pm only to be told to go home and come back the next day.
“On return, they would join an overflow queue, only to be seen to and finally leave the hospital in the afternoon. In other words, it would take one and a half days to simply see a health-care professional and to get medicines,” Keeka said.
After his interactions with queuing patients, Keeka established that hospital staff were cordial to them and in as much as they waited long hours, there was general satisfaction with care levels. But there were complaints about rude security and some healthcare staff.
“During my visit, I was not convinced enough was being done to decant long queues. Patients may choose to receive chronic medications at designated pick-up points throughout the city. It also seemed that many were not satisfied with care levels at the surrounding clinics. This needs immediate attention,” he said.
Keeka said Wentworth Hospital, like many others, still does not have a board which means accountability and public participation is hampered.
These issues are not unique to Wentworth Hospital, he said, but a sample of a greater problem across KZN which requires more rigorous oversight to ensure better healthcare delivery, despite a broken system.
“KZN’s government of provincial unity (GPU) is committed to a turnaround, as fast as possible, within the budget available.”
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Daily News