GP health workers to account for hospital deaths

GPs are to be held accountable for the deaths of patients in any of the hospitals in Gauteng, the health department has stated.

More investigations will be carried out following the death of any patient, to identify the cause of death and highlight where preventative measures could have been put in place.

In particular, the health department will prioritise the child and neonatal mortality programme; two provincial committees have been appointed to advise on how the department can reduce mortality rates in this area. It will also be tasked with ensuring that staff are trained in the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI).

Health and Social Development MEC, Ntombi Mekgwe said the new measures will ensure deaths are not “regarded merely as a statistic”. She warned that where negligence is found, people will be held accountable and there will be no exceptions.