A Health Ombudsman report has exonerated Helen Joseph Hospital from maltreatment and found that despite challenges, radio broadcaster Tom London received adequate and appropriate care at the health facility.
The report comes after London posted a video on social media in September 2024 complaining about the bad treatment he received from the hospital.
In the video, while in the hospital ward, he bemoaned the bad treatment from most of the doctors, alleging that patients are treated like cockroaches.
London had developed a chest infection and was using over-the-counter medication before being rushed to Helen Joseph Hospital, which he described as a circus.
“The doctors that run around here treat patients like cockroaches. I haven’t seen one doctor walk up to a patient in our ward and do ‘good morning, Mr so-and-so, how are you?’ Nothing!”
London, who looked fed up with the poor treatment he received from the government hospital, said most doctors treat patients with absolute disdain and disrespect.
“I am talking about this from your Wits medical student all the way up to the chain of this hospital. I have never seen a level of disrespect from human beings like this in my life,” he said at the time.
The state of Helen Joseph hospital💔
The video was taken today 👇 pic.twitter.com/6patzkcSjh
The report admitted that the hospital was inadequately resourced, understaffed and unable to meet the patients’ demands.
"There is an urgent need to address staff shortages as skilled nursing professionals resign due to heavy workloads," read the report.
It was also mentioned that the absence of a permanent CEO in the hospital has left a vacuum leading to staff working in silos without taking accountability.
"There is a leadership crisis in the hospital. The clinical and support services staff should work as a team to ensure quality service provision at the hospital."
Infrastructure problems were also highlighted, with calls for refurbishing old facilities.
"Ablution and handwashing facilities must be urgently attended to prevent the spread of disease," the report urged, suggesting the appointment of additional artisans to tackle the daily maintenance challenge.