BARA HOSPITAL SWITCHBOARD OUT FOR THREE WEEKS

The telephone switchboard at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital has been broken for three weeks.

People cannot get through to the general 011 933 8000 number, but can get through if they know the extension. Staff cannot phone out as there are no lines.

This is extremely inconvenient for everyone. Relatives can't check up on the health of patients, and staff have to use their own cellphones to make outside calls.

Things break at this hospital all the time. There must be a proper maintenance plan for all equipment, with competent people in charge.

The departure of the hospital's CEO Johanna More at the end of December is long overdue. Her successor must be appointed as soon as possible to fix the ongoing problems at this hospital.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, November 5 2012

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