The Democratic Alliance (DA) will report serious concerns regarding a spate of assaults at the new mental hospital in Kimberley to the office of the Health Ombud.
This comes after nine out of ten reported incidents of assault were caused by an out-of-stock of Clopazine, an antipsychotic agent used to control violence and aggression in patients suffering from Schizoaffective and Bipolar Disorders. In seven cases, patients assaulted each other and the remaining three, patients assaulted staff.
The Northern Cape Health Department confirmed in its First Quarterly Report for 2023/2024 that of the 10 patient safety incidents experienced in the quarter, nine cases were caused by adverse drug reactions triggered by the switch in treatment due to the absence of Clopazine.
The DA’s concerns regarding staff and patient safety at the facility are compounded by the lack of medical and security personnel at the hospital.
The department conceded that on 8th May 2023, fifteen State Patients were transferred from Correctional Services after a new ward became operational, without the appointment of additional staff. We suspect that the staff shortages may also have played an enabling role in the assaults.
The department must provide reasons for the stock-out of Clopazine, which is critical for treatment in a psychiatric hospital. We have submitted questions for written response, including whether the department is facing legal claims in respect of the assaults. They must also reveal whether the staff to patient ratio is compliant with the mental health treatment guidelines. Lastly they must reveal whether they have initiated an investigation into the matter and what measures have been taken to improve staff and patient safety.
The DA will also report the information to the Health Ombud, given concerns that this forms part of a larger pattern of violence at health facilities. This follows a recent request by Michele Clarke, the DA Shadow Minister of Health, to the Health Ombud to investigate the incident where two hospital security guards assaulted a 13-year-old disabled patient in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as a reply from National Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, indicating that incidents of assault have increased in mental health facilities and regular facilities countrywide.
Hospitals, especially mental health facilities, should be reducing aggressive behavior not exacerbating it through inadequate mental health care, patient supervision and security.