Alternative arrangements for Bara’s medical casualty ‘poorly planned’

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Tuesday urged a review of the arrangements for medical casualty in Soweto “so as to ensure minimum disruption and maximum care for patients”.

This follows the temporary closure of Chris Hani Baragwanath’s medical casualty unit for renovations that are expected to be completed early next year.

The alternative arrangement‚ the DA’s Jack Bloom said‚ “been poorly planned and implemented”.

Bloom said he received complaints from staff and patients that Bheki Mlangeni Hospital in Jabulani‚ which “was not coping well with the influx of emergency medical patients”.

“It is important to note that the trauma casualty at Bara is still operating‚” said Bloom.

“Typical medical cases are suspected heart attacks or illness‚ as opposed to victims of violence or car accidents.

“I was told that Priority 1 emergency medical cases would still be treated at Bara‚ but other cases are taken by ambulance to Bheki Mlangeni for treatment.”

Bloom said staff at Bheki Mlangeni had questioned “why a medical casualty hadn’t been set up at Bara in an unused ward‚ as happened before when there were renovations”.

“It complicates matters for patients to be transported in high numbers to Bheki Mlangeni‚ which is not geared up to cope with them‚ especially after hours.”

Bloom said that he was “unable up get a full assessment of the situation at Bheki Mlangeni as the hospital CEO refused to talk to me without permission from Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu”.