East London’s main central-city hospital is facing serious management, health, financial and supply crises, all of which are receiving scant attention from provincial authorities, says the Democratic Alliance.
In a letter to Minister of Health Manto Tshabalala-Msimang on Wednesday, a copy of which was released to the media, DA health spokesperson Dianne Kohler-Barnard said the Eastern Cape’s failure to tackle the problems at Frere hospital has prompted her to take them up with the minister.
Kohler-Barnard told the Mail & Guardian Online that nurses at Frere hospital had contacted her in their search for help.
“The nurses sent us documentation they got from the management. They have to write down what supplies they use and other ridiculous rules.”
She said it appears the hospital’s management is operating as a law unto itself.
“They [the management] just tell you what looks good on paper; in my experience, management is only there to cover up the ugly stuff.”
Toni van Niekerk, spokesperson for Frere hospital, said: “Allegations of management, financial and supply inefficiencies within the ELHC [East London Hospital Complex] have been made in the past by individuals. The ELHC has embarked on a series of changes over the last 12 months and as a result faces resistance from a number of individuals.”
Among the serious problems facing the hospital is a failure to pay accounts and place orders.
“The hospital has exhausted its budget for 2005, and has stopped paying various suppliers of critical equipment. This is threatening supplies, a crisis similar to that which occurred last year, when the hospital also ran out of funds in the middle of the financial year,” said Kohler-Barnard.
Van Niekerk replied: “We refute the allegation that suppliers are not paid. Meetings have been taking place between us and two suppliers regarding their accounts and in both instances the accounts are being analysed by both parties. This has in no way impacted on their supply.”
There is also wasteful and inappropriate spending, stated the DA, referring to the hospital’s corporate services department that is located on the East London beachfront.
“This costs the state over R1-million a year in rent, even though there are empty buildings available for this purpose which are already owned by the hospital,” the DA said.
“The allegation of mismanagement of funds in respect of the CSC building also appears to constantly crop up,” said Van Niekerk. “The decision to opt for this choice was made after due diligence and perhaps it is prudent to point out that the use of other available departmental buildings would have amounted to R7-million per annum, opposed to the current cost.”
Unsafe and unhygienic conditions exist at the hospital, said Kohler-Barnard, adding she will visit the hospital this week to take pictures for evidence.
“I just don’t know if they will let me in,” although it is a public hospital, she said.
After various post-operative infections occurred in 2005, swabs were taken in various parts of the hospital, all of which showed the growth of micro-organisms.
“No action was taken to deal with the causes of these problems, including old and cracked tiles and damp walls in many parts of the hospital, including operating theatres. Moreover, rubbish is left lying around the hospital grounds, and drains are not cleared,” said Kohler-Barnard.
She also said the hospital’s recently appointed deputy director of nursing lacks the skills or qualifications needed for the post. Van Niekerk said “operational management issues are being dealt with within the department”.
Kohler-Barnard called on Tshabalala-Msimang to give the hospital’s problems her urgent attention.