Services are improving

The services provided by staff at all West Rand district health facilities impressed Gauteng Premier David Makhura on recently unannounced visits.

“My overall feedback on healthcare is that the West Rand district is functioning much, much better and their health services are organised well.

“The teams from the regional and district hospitals work with the 80 clinics,” Makhura said.

The premier, accompanied by health MEC Bandile Masuku and government officials, visited Leratong Hospital in Kagiso and the Mogale City Clinic in Krugersdorp.

He was amazed by the staff’s determination to deliver efficient services.

Makhura has made other unannounced visits to Sebokeng Hospital in the Vaal, Jubilee Hospital in Hammanskraal and a number of clinics since last week.

He said he was satisfied with the situation at Leratong Hospital, where he found service was considerably better after the hospital had been reorganised.

The hospital staff told Makhura and Masuku the hospital had implemented lean management principles and set targets for themselves.

But the premier expressed concern about safety at hospitals.

He gave the provincial health department until September to appoint chief executive officers for all hospitals in the province.

This would help to drive the changes necessary to ensure improved healthcare.

Masuku said the department would also address overcrowding and cleanliness at all of the province’s hospitals as efficient healthcare needed a clean and hygienic environment.

“I have seen some improvements, but I want to see more in 12 months’ time,” Makhura said.