WHY THE BAD NAME THEN?

Norma Bustard, registered nurse/ midwife and nurse manager of the obstetric and gynae block at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital in Parktown, explains why government hospitals have a bad name:

“People just don’t understand hospital protocol – especially when it comes to obstetrics,” she says. “The maternity unit has to cope with women who come to admissions in advanced labour who have not been for any antenatal care. This means that they have no medical records, and where there’s an additional language problem, it’s almost impossible to get an accurate obstetrical history. "There is no time to run tests or do investigations that would otherwise improve the outcome for mother and baby. We simply have to do the best with what we have. When things go wrong, the press is quick to publish the story, often with incorrect details.” If you have a valid complaint, it’s best to speak to the nurse manager. Keep in mind that government hospitals are busy places where the sickest are seen first.