The Public Service Association's Lynsie Pelser, said in an interview with OFM News patients and staff are complaining about a number of issues that involves the day-to-day running of the hospital. The menu for patients and the portions of meals have been a major concern, followed by complaints about the maintenance of the building. 

Leaking taps and pipes have been reported for weeks, but problems allegedly do not get resolved. In one instance, the staff used blankets to soak up the water from the floor.

Also read: Several nurses appointed at Bfn psychiatric hospital

A shortage of clothes for in-patients is also part of the list of problems raised. OFM News has been receiving photos of some of the problems over the course of the week and has sent a media enquiry to the Free State Health Department.

The department is now going to investigate these concerns.

Also read: FS Psychiatric Complex goes dark

The spokesperson for the department, Mondli Mvambi, said the department established that there are indeed some concerns around the day-to-day running of the hospital. He said the Free State department of health has noted the allegations of patients. 

Also read: Services at FS Psychiatric Complex unhindered as investigation continues

The task team appointed by the Free State Health department to investigate allegations about the catering for patients, a lack of maintenance and the collapsed of laundry services at this complex, has a week to complete its hefty task. Mvambi said the department is seeing these allegations in a very serious light as there is no budgetary constraints at the beginning of the financial year. Complaints about the portions and standards of meals were streaming in from patients and staff. One of the major concerns also included the fact that patients clothes were found stacked up at the laundry. Mvambi said the task team is going to investigate the allegations and is expected to report back to the department within seven days.

This hospital has been making headlines over several financial years for all the wrong reasons and sparked an in loco investigation by Members of Parliament, who described the situation at the Psychiatric Complex as appalling. 

Also read: State of Oranje Hospital is appalling - NCOP

In 2019, it came under the loop for some of the same reasons now under investigation and OFM News reported on the complex experiencing regular power outages.

OFM News