Hospitals get complaints bosses

2010-03-30 20:06

Johannesburg - The Gauteng health department has appointed complaints managers in all its hospitals, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Mandla Sidu of the health department said this was done in an effort to improve the quality of health facilities in the province.

"Complaints managers have the authority to deal with every aspect of complaints, unless there is a legal claim or demand for monetary compensation," said Sidu.

"If the complaint has resulted in injury or mortality it will be reviewed by medical experts who sit in the Serious Adverse Events Committee."

Sidu said chief executive managers have been appointed in most of the hospitals in the province.

"Pholosong, Tambo Memorial and Tshwane District are the only hospitals that still have acting managers," he said.

He said Gauteng MEC for health, Qedani Mahlangu, urged patients and members of the public to speak out if they were not happy with the quality of care they received.

Complaints can be lodged with the complaints manager of the hospital or the CEO. The Gauteng health hotline can also be called at 0800-233-886 or 011-488-4366.

Sidu said the department had received 3 971 complaints through its hotline this year, while more than 340 complaints had been lodged in writing.

- SAPA