Photo: Gauteng Health MEC, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko
Prof Mokgoba released a scathing report on the hospital in March, ordering the provincial health department and the hospital’s management to submit a detailed plan to the ombud on how the recommendations to fix the hospital’s many ills highlighted in the report will be implemented.
In a written reply to Bloom’s questions in the Gauteng Legislature, the MEC indicated that work to implement the recommendations remains on track.
New CEO
“One of the key recommendations the ombud made when releasing his report was that a suitable permanent CEO for RMMCH must be identified and appointed as a matter of priority. The process to appoint a new CEO is at an advanced stage, the position was advertised with a closing date of 5 May and the selection process is underway. As part of efforts to ensure stability and proper management capabilities, we have appointed an interim acting CEO while the appointment of permanent leadership is being concluded,” said the MEC.
“Previously, the appointment of hospital CEOs used to take six months, however, the Department is currently reviewing its Recruitment Policy to ensure prompt appointment of critical management positions without compromising on the necessary rigorous screening and selection process. The Department has also reviewed and communicated Human Resources (HR) standard operating procedures to staff to ensure better management of leave, absenteeism, recruitment and retention of staff.,” she explained.
She added that a draft HR plan has been developed but requires further work because of the hospital’s changing status to a tertiary hospital to ensure that it receives a tertiary grant before the end of the year.
According to Nkomo-Ralehoko a schedule of maintenance works to be carried out has been developed and initial funds made available to immediately start the repairs. She said the GDoH is currently preparing specifications to request for quotations or tenders so that service providers can be appointed as soon as possible. The hospital has also received a budget for minor maintenance which are currently underway.
Since the report the facility has since installed a functional smart fridge for the storage of blood at the hospital’s laboratory while the recommendations of establishing a 24-hour laboratory in RHMMCH is being attended to.
Hospital board has been trained
To address leadership and governance issues at the hospital, the hospital board has been trained and is according to the MEC “effective and functional and continues to play an oversight role including the regular hospital inspections as per their year plan. To strengthen the Head of Department’s (HOD) oversight on hospitals in the province, the Acting HOD has established a diverse oversight committee to work with him in providing
oversight and monitoring of the implementation of the plan and other quality improvements plan across all service platforms,” Nkomo-Ralekho elaborated.
Bloom says while disciplinary action has been taken against a nurse who used her own concoction for infection control, the hospital’s former CEO Dr Nozuko Mkabayi has not yet been disciplined for her failings. The report found Dr Mkabayi to be incompetent and absent, only spending 182 days of the two years that she was CEO of the hospital.
The biggest disappointment, Bloom said was the failure to appoint an independent forensic and audit firm within two months as the Office of the Premier is still busy “with the process.”
Earlier this week, Health Minister, Joe Phaahla confirmed that the Gauteng premier’s office has requested that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) conduct an investigation at RMMCH, which relates to some of the matters raised by the health ombud.
Bloom says key to further progress is whether a “top-notch” CEO is chosen soon and is given the resources to fundamentally improve this hospital to provide a decent service to mothers and children.
“I will continue to monitor the progress of implementing the health ombud’s recommendations and hold the MEC to account for any backsliding,” he said.