R15M NEGLIGENCE AWARD AGAINST GAUTENG HEALTH

The Democratic Alliance notes the R15 million out-of-court settlement that the Gauteng Health Department has to pay after a baby was born brain-damaged at the Edenvale hospital.

Seth Fourie was bom at Edenvale Hospital in June 2006 with cerebral palsy caused by asphyxia (lack of oxygen supply to the body) in the last hours of labour.

This is the largest pay-out by the department to date, following more than R70 million paid last year for court-awarded medical negligence claims.

More large pay-outs can be expected as the department faces R1.4 billion in medical negligence claims.

Damages awards are seriously denting the department's budget.

It highlights the urgency of proper controls to ensure that high quality care is provided in our state hospitals.

Statement by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, February 21 2013

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