OHSC BOARD EXPRESSES CONCERNS OVER PATIENT SAFETY FOLLOWING FIRE OUTBREAK AT TEMBISA PROVINCIAL TERTIARY HOSPITAL
As a health services regulator, tasked with monitoring and protecting the health and safety of healthcare services users, the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) Board and management have noted with great concern reports of repeated incidents of fire outbreaks at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital, which could place patient and staff safety at risk.
These incidents have raised significant alarms about safety protocols and emergency preparedness, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive assessment of the facility to ensure the safety of patients, visitors, staff and other occupants of the Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital premises.
All health establishments must prioritise the safety and security of patients, especially during emergencies. Health establishments must ensure that the systems comply with health regulations and foster a safe environment for everyone in their care.
The OHSC will be dispatching a team of inspectors to conduct a Risk- Based Inspection as a fact-finding action to establish circumstances surrounding the two fire incidences, the hospital management’s immediate response and actions taken and the effectiveness of existing safety measures in preventing recurrence thereof. Risk-based inspections are specifically triggered and conducted on an ad hoc basis in response to identified risks at heath facilities.
Considering that the winter season is already on, this inspection will enable the OHSC to establish possible root causes, and to make informed recommendations that are aimed at mitigating the risk of fire incidences at health facilities.
The OHSC urges all healthcare facilities and providers to regularly review their safety protocols and emergency response plans to avoid similar occurrences and ensure that the integrity of the healthcare system and the protection of the users of health services are maintained.
End.
Media Enquiries:
Ricardo Mahlakanya
Director: Communication and Stakeholder Relations and Spokesperson
066 473 8666 / rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za
Download statement here: MEDIA STATEMENT_OHSC BOARD EXPRESS CONCERNS OVER PATIENT SAFETY FOLLOWING FIRE OUTBREAK AT TEMBISA REGIONAL HOSPITAL
