CAPE TOWN - The family of a 15-year-old girl who was allegedly raped at Stellenbosch Hospital where she was receiving psychiatric treatment has slammed the health department’s alleged continuous lack of transparency, after remaining mum about the exact action taken against staff members.
Disgruntled protesters including family members and activists presented the State facility with a memorandum of demands in October, which included calls for suspension of the hospital manager and other staff members.
The hospital was accused of negligence and of trying to cover up the sexual assault matter that the family believed happened on September 16.
The hospital allegedly informed the family on September 25 that the assault had happened on 23 September.
The teenager was admitted to the facility on September 1 after she tried to commit suicide.
Health MEC Nomafrench Mbombo who had visited the hospital said an internal investigation would happen and apologised on behalf of Stellenbosch health workers.
She had also said the incident did happen “as per confirmation by a doctor.”
Sandra Maritz, spokesperson for the provincial health department’s Cape Winelands District said on Thursday the department’s internal review was completed in October and following the review, disciplinary action was taken against two staff members.
Asked what measures were taken, Maritz would only say that the disciplinary process concluded, and the staff members were still employed.
“Improvements were made to the system when it comes to patient care. The appointment of a 24/7 security guard in the Ward and revising the criteria for adolescents to be admitted to the Mental Health Ward.
“Adolescent patients are no longer admitted to the ward, except under very specific clinical circumstances. We support processes led by SAPS, the Public Protector and Public Service Commission (PSC) following the September 23 incident,” she said.
Paul Rockman, PSC’s provincial director, said their probe in collaboration with the Public Protector was at an advanced stage.
Their investigation relates to the conditions at the hospital that might have contributed to the incident, and whether or not there was any improper conduct or maladministration on the part of the hospital or the Western Cape department of health.
Family spokesperson of the teenager Bianca Booysen said they were shocked to learn from the media that the health department concluded their investigation about two months ago.
“We are in the dark, the family does not know anything or any developments. I sent an email last month to the department asking for an update and no response to date.
“The family is not happy to hear this from the media; their behaviour and lack of transparency has not changed.
“They need to at least tell us about this ’action’ they have taken against the health workers. If they did at all, why is it a secret and why does the family not know about it? Also since the girl was transferred to Tygerberg Hospital they are still in the dark about why she has been there for so long,” said Booysen.
According to Booysen the mother was also frustrated and confused that she was not being informed or educated about after care when her daughter gets discharged.
This while police spokesperson Andrè Traut said their investigation into the alleged incident was still ongoing.
Cape Times