Gauteng Health Dept calls for better coordination of hospital oversight visits

JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng Health Department is calling for better coordination of oversight visits to public hospitals to prevent disruptions to patient care and operations.

This after ActionSA member of the Gauteng Legislature, John Moody was denied entry during an unannounced visit to Sebokeng Hospital on Tuesday.

The department said that while the Constitution allowed oversight by Parliament and Chapter 9 institutions, such visits must respect laws protecting patient privacy and hospital management. 

It also raised concerns about the politicisation of these visits, which often disrupted hospital staff from their primary duties.

Spokesperson Motalatale Modiba: "These organisations are always required to provide specifics of the oversight visit to enable relevant officials to prepare accordingly, while health facilities are easily accessible to the public it is important that oversight visits are managed."