Question NW791 to the Minister of Health
11 April 2016 - NW791
Redelinghuys, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Health
(1) How many ambulances are currently (a) operational and (b) not operational at the Odi District Hospital in Mabopane Gauteng; (2) whether there are any plans to acquire additional ambulances for use by the specified hospital; if not, why not; if so, (a) how many ambulances will be acquired and (b) what are the timeframes in this regard; (3) what are the average waiting times at the specified hospital for (a) trauma patients classified as (i) green, (ii) yellow and (iii) red, (b) out-patients referred from clinics waiting to see a doctor, and (c) out-patients for an appointment to see a doctor?
Reply:
(1) (a) and (b)
The number of ambulances indicated below serve Mabopane, Ga-rankuwa, Winterveldt and Soshanguve. These ambulances are stationed next to Odi Hospital and serve Odi and Dr George Mukhari Hospitals, all clinics, all Community Health Centres in the Northern Sub-district of Tshwane including house calls.
Type of Vehicles |
Number of Allocated Vehicles |
Number Operational |
Number Not Operational |
Ambulances |
13 |
8 |
5 at workshop |
Obstetrics Vehicle |
2 |
1 |
1 at workshop |
Response Vehicle |
2 |
2 |
0 |
Planned Patient Transport |
4 |
2 |
2 at workshop |
Rescue Vehicle |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Logistic Vehicle |
1 |
0 |
1 at workshop |
TOTAL |
23 |
14 |
9 |
(2) (a) Approval has been granted for 7 ambulances to be procured in the 2016/2017 financial year, i.e. 2 Obstetrics and 5 Ambulances. The new ambulances will replace ambulances identified for disposal and to add to the existing fleet.
(b) Ambulance procurement will be completed by the second quarter of 2016/2017.
(3) The average waiting time is as follows:
(a) (i) trauma - green - 57 minutes
(ii) trauma – yellow - 18 minutes
(iii) trauma - red - 13 minutes
(b) OPD referred from clinics - 65 minutes
(c) OPD follow up - 48 minutes
CHALLENGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF WAITING TIMES
- There is is a general population growth in the surrounding areas.
- Odi District Hospital serves both Gauteng and North West communities and the communities are growing.
- There are a growing number of self-referrals, hence the OPD overflows daily and this affects waiting time.
- There is no regional or tertiary hospital between Odi and DGMA hospital, hence referral to a higher level becomes a challenge and the hospital is required to manage the many patients it cannot refer.
- Patients are reluctant to use the nearby clinics and return to the hospital despite being referred to their respective clinic.
- Most patients with chronic conditions come to the hospital after hours to use the Emergency Centre instead of the OPD during the day; hence the higher patient load and impact on the Emergency Centre.
- Patients with chronic conditions who attend the Emergency Centre after hours complain about long waiting time because acutely ill or injured patients are given priority attention.
- Turnover of clinical and nursing staff is high as they are attracted to higher level hospitals or resign due to pension and this also impacts negatively on waiting time.
- Space in the Emergency Centres and OPD is limited due to infrastructural challenges. Consulting rooms are few so patients cannot be accommodated in comfort while waiting.
END.