Motsoaledi wants standards office in 2011

2011-01-21 17:05

Pretoria - A quality and complaints office for the healthcare system has to be fast-tracked, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Friday.

"I'm in a hurry... That office must be established this year," he told journalists in Pretoria.

The office of standards and complaints would help improve the quality of healthcare in public facilities.

The office would be divided into three units - an inspectorate, an office for accreditation and an ombudsman for complaints.

It would address areas such as cleanliness, staff attitudes, safety and security of patients and long queues, a common feature in the public health sector.

Motsoaledi said funding for the office had already been discussed with the National Treasury.

The bill, in which provisions for the office are contained, could be released for public comment next week.

- SAPA