“About 65” health professionals have been assaulted in facilities falling under the Gauteng Department of Health since January 2015‚ it was revealed on Monday.

Provincial MEC for Health Qedani Mahlangu “called upon patients‚ their family members and the public to refrain from physically and verbally abusing health professionals”.

But she also said “health professionals are also encouraged to treat patients with care‚ dignity‚ respect and act with constraint even during confrontation”.

 “Attacks on health professionals are completely unacceptable. It will not be tolerated‚” said Mahlangu.

“Health professionals should be respected and protected by society as they are vital in the delivery of quality health care. Such violent actions are taken seriously and will be reported to the police.”

Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital accounted for just under a third of the reported assaults — 20‚ while “Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital came second with nine‚ Pholosong Hospital was third with seven incidents‚ while Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital recorded four and other facilities accounted for three and less”‚ she said.

 Mahlangu said patients “who experience difficulties in any health institution” had recourse to “quality assurance officers based at all our institutions”.

 Should this fail to satisfy patients‚ “they should report to facility managers (the CEO of the respective hospitals or the clinic managers as applicable)” Mahlangu said‚ adding that their “concerns will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated”.

 Mahlangu also revealed that‚ since January 2015‚ 503 “serious adverse cases” – including‚ “amongst others‚ allegations of negligence‚ incompetence of staff‚ leaving patients unattended and failures within the system” – have been recorded.

“To stop further adverse cases‚ all units in health facilities conduct continuous risk assessments and clinical audits at least once a month‚” the department said.