Local hospital extends visiting hours
The extension does not include Casualty, as patient visits in that unit remain suspended as stated in their press release issued on April 26.
Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital extended its visiting hours to allow for in-patient visits from family members or other relatives as of May 1.
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Appointments will now be scheduled from 14:00 to 16:00 every day, including weekends and national holidays, because the visiting period has been extended to two hours.
On February 16, Tembisa Hospital suspended visiting hours in the emergency and accident units.
The suspension was initiated as it appeared that Tembisa community forum had coerced hospital staff, during their ‘lack of hospital basic services’ strike.
Since a disturbing video of patients in the hospital’s casualty sleeping on the floor unattended went viral in December 2022, the Tembisa Community Forum (TCF) believed that the services at the hospital have allegedly gotten worse.
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According to TCF secretary Lele Lefakene, despite voicing their concerns to the appropriate departments, the community members continue to receive poor services.
Then on February 17, the TCF staged a protest outside of Tembisa Hospital.
To address one of the concerns about bed space highlighted in the memorandum by the TCF members, the medical center acknowledged that some patients are kept waiting in the emergency room for more than 24 hours before being admitted due to capacity issues.
The hospital stated that when there are visitors, it was challenging to keep order and safeguard the protection of the patients.
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Tembisa Hospital, just like all healthcare facilities, had to halt patient visits to curb the spread of Covid in April 2020.
As things eased up, the visiting hours resumed, albeit for 15 minutes per patient per day.
Visiting hours have now been extended without restrictions. However, residents should note that the extension does not include casualty.
Patient visits to the casualty unit remain suspended.
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