A shortage of forensic psychiatrists, particularly in the public sector, is reaching alarming levels, The Pretoria News website reported on Monday.
It quoted members of the profession as saying violent crime suspects sent by the state for mental observation cannot be catered for.
Only five state forensic psychiatrists are currently practising in South Africa.
”There are instances at certain prisons, where observation patients have been waiting for 18 months before a psychiatric assessment is made,” said a state-employed forensic psychiatrist who asked not to be named.
A psychiatrist is a medical practitioner who first qualifies as a medical doctor and then specialises in psychiatry. Forensic psychiatrists assess patients referred by the courts for observation to determine whether they are fit to stand trial.
Psychiatrists in the private sector dealing with patients referred by the state said they could also not cope with the workload.
Johan Hiemstra, a private forensic psychiatrist who assesses such patients, said his caseload was almost impossible.
”I often receive unsolicited state cases and have no idea where the patient is… nor do I receive details regarding the patient’s offence and circumstances.”
”The system is a nightmare due to enormous backlogs in the justice system… most private psychiatrists often opt out,” said Hiemstra.
Psychiatrists cited poor working conditions and remuneration as reasons why there is a reluctance to work in the public sector.
The Department of Health declined to comment on the number of psychiatrists they employed. But spokesperson Charity Bhengu said emigration was a cause of concern.
”We have lost psychiatrists to emigration, but the department is constantly striving to improve working conditions,” she said.
An unidentified Health Professions Council of South Africa spokesperson said high levels of emigration by psychiatrists had contributed significantly to the lack of growth in the field. – Sapa