Woman’s death raises questions
Despite belief that an elderly resident was not attended to prior to her death, the spokesperson for the hospital she was admitted to, said the social worker appointed performed his duties.
Last week members of the public raised concern about what they believe was a lack of commitment from a social worker to do his job.
The woman, who fell ill, was taken to the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital for treatment. She was appointed a social worker who was to monitor her once she was discharged, according to members of the public.
Speaking about the elderly woman who lived in Kensington, Ms Belinda Brooks said, “The woman died in pain and alone because her social worker dumped her at home and did not visit. She lived alone. She was taken to the hospital because she was ill.
“As she had no one to look after her, she was assigned a social worker. Clearly no one was checking on her because we discovered her body on March 30. The smell alerted us. She had been dead for a few days. A security guard, who was friends with her, found her lying on the floor in her house.”
She added that the discovery was disturbing and that no one should have to go through what the woman went through.
“No one has been to the house since the woman died. As far as we understand, she had no family. It is sad that the system, in which elderly people in need are allocated social workers, is not working. This woman was put in the system but in the end died. No one was taking care of her.”
Ms Brooks said she contacted the EXPRESS for help following failed attempts to obtain any assistance from social services.
“I said I would do what I could to make sure this does not happen to anyone again. I tried to contact social services and phone numbers I found on websites. Everyone I spoke to was unsure what they should do and were of no help,” said Ms Brooks.
The security guard, who did not want his name published, said he had known the woman for 13 years. “She was alone during all this time. She used to stay with her brother but he died. She was frail. When she became ill I called an ambulance.
“She asked me to come with her to the hospital and I did. I helped her open her file. She was in hospital for about two weeks. I went to visit her. My father became ill and I had to go away for a while. I left because a social worker was allocated to help her,” said the security guard.
He said he never expected to return and find the woman dead and in the state she was in. “What I saw when I discovered her body was terrifying. It was terrible and sad for me because I looked after her as much as I could. I was traumatised. I believe no one had been to the house. There were still papers in her post box that had not been removed. I blame social services for not taking care of her. I think the woman last ate when she was in hospital. She was in no position to help herself,” said the guard.
Ms Lungiswa Mvumvu, the spokesperson for the hospital, said a social worker was assigned to the woman, during and after her discharge. The woman was discharged from the hospital on February 18.
“The social worker performed his duties to the best of his ability and made consults with the relevant stakeholders to take over the patient. He provided the intervention required.
This included an assessment of the patient while admitted and the home environment before discharge. The patient was seen to be fit for discharge as per doctors’ protocol and the arrangements made by the social worker.
“All planned visits were done. The social worker made consults with the relevant stakeholders to take over the patient. Our review indicated that he acted within his scope of work,” she said.
According to her, the social worker had a telephonic conversation with neighbours regarding post-discharge arrangements. “This was followed by a formal meeting. A home visit was done and the patient was referred for placement through Age in Action Placement Agency,” she said.
Ms Mvumvu added that the social worker had also met with neighbours who committed to providing the minimal basic care required.
Constable Mpho Mashakane, the Cleveland SAPS communications officer, said the woman was laid to rest by the government.
“The family of the deceased was never found and the only information gathered from social services was that her brother died 10 years ago.
“An inquest docket has been opened for investigation. The post mortem results have not been returned yet. Anyone with information relating to the whereabouts of the family should come forward,” she said.
@JoziReporter
