VAST QUEUES FOR X-RAYS AT HELEN JOSEPH HOSPITAL

Helen Joseph hospital has only one functioning x-ray machine for outpatients, as three other machines have been out of action for most of this year.

I discovered this on a recent visit to the hospital after receiving complaints from patients. A hand-written sign on one of the doors of a disused x-ray room says "Out of Order!! Do not use both rooms!!", and is dated 12 April 2010 (see picture below).

There are vast queues every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday when outpatients are scheduled for x-rays.

Patients are often turned away because only 70 patients can be seen in a day, so 50 or more patients will be told to come back on the next scheduled day where they will only be seen if they come very early.

Patients have complained bitterly to me about the long wait and being turned away. Their treatment is surely compromised if there are delays in getting x-rays.

There is only one other working x-ray machine at the hospital, which is in the casualty section.

Two x-ray machines in the specialist department were shut down in 2007, so the shortage is dire.

It is disgraceful that new x-ray machines have not been speedily procured for this major hospital.

I have written to both Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and Head of Department Kamy Chetty urging them to give priority attention to this matter (see letter below).

"OUT OF ORDER

DO NOT USE
BOTH ROOMS

Man 12/04/2010"

Sign on door of disused x-ray room

From: Jack Bloom
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2010 10:01 PM
To: '[email protected]'
Cc: '[email protected]'
Subject: SHORTAGE OF X-RAYS AT HELEN JOSEPH HOSPITAL

Dear MEC Mahlangu,

I wish to bring to your attention the dire shortage of x-ray machines at the Helen Joseph Hospital.

Only one out of four machines is working, which means that outpatients in particular have to wait in very long queues three times a week. Many are often turned away and told to come back the next scheduled day.

There is only one other functioning x-ray machine which is in casualty as two other machines in the specialist department were shut down in 2007.

The situation is really dire and I urge you to give this priority attention so that new machines are installed as soon as possible.

Yours sincerely,

Jack Bloom

MPL

Cc Dr Kamy Chetty

Statement issued by Jack Bloom  MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, October 26 2010

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