Over 80% of South Africans rely on state facilities like Chris Hani Baragwanath, the third largest hospital in the world. Image: Shutterstock.
Staff attacked by patients at least 61 times in Gauteng hospitals
The most attacks were recorded at the Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital in Pretoria, Gauteng where staff (nurses) were punched in the face.
Over 80% of South Africans rely on state facilities like Chris Hani Baragwanath, the third largest hospital in the world. Image: Shutterstock.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has called for security to be beefed up at hospitals as staff have suffered 61 attacks by patients since January 2022, mostly by those who are mentally ill.
This was revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to questions asked by the DA.
STAFF IN GAUTENG HOSPITALS ATTACKED BY PATIENTS
According to the Health MEC, Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital had the most attacks, with 21 assaults on staff who were injured on various parts of their bodies. Many nurses were punched in the face, and a security guard was hit in the groin.
There were seven attacks on staff at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, including two nurses and a speech therapist who were bitten on their fingers.
Two smaller hospitals, Carletonville and Far East Rand (FAR) had nine attacks each – five of the staff at FAR were bitten by patients.
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According to the Health MEC, most attacks are by Mental Health Care Users, others are linked to anger at staff for various reasons such as refusal to buy them items, patients trying to escape, or involved in criminal activity.
Angry relatives are another danger to hospital staff. At Bertha Gxowa Hospital, a nurse was reportedly punched in the face at casualty by escorts of the patient demanding immediate attention for their injured friend.
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health Jack Bloom said it is distressing that so many hospital workers are attacked while trying to assist patients.
Bloom called for security to be beefed up, with specialised facilities for mentally ill patients at hospitals where this is lacking to minimise the risk of violence against staff.
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