Staff shortages have been a major issue at the hospital, which the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) identified as a crisis during an oversight visit to healthcare facilities in the province.

The Free State Department of Health spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, says to date, 52 professional nurses have been appointed at the hospitall, as well as 21 nursing assistants, 11 medical officers, 6 drivers, 5 switchboard operators, 3 operational managers, 3 artisan foremen, 3 medical specialists, 2 area managers (nursing), 2 boiler operators, 2 chief physiotherapists, 1 food service manager, 1 chief dietician, 1 dietician, and 1 chief occupational therapist. 

The appointments mentioned above were made on 1 April 2022.

ALSO READ: Solutions for troubled #Pelonomi

At the beginning of 2022, patients brought the hospital to a standstill in an attempt to get their complaints across to the management of the hospital. The patients' main complaint was having to stay in the hospital for an extended period of time before being operated on.

At the time, Mvambi did confirm that some patients have been waiting for a long period for different reasons, as each injury is treated on its own merits and healthcare service provision is tailored to each patient.

However, it was also explained that the staff members at the hospital are also overwhelmed by the huge demand for orthopaedic services due to the high volumes of cases of trauma, violence, and injury, which require more theatre space, time, and resources. 

Following that protest by patients, the department outlined solutions to help with the situation. One of the solutions was getting more staff to help. The department had at the time begun the process of interviewing anaesthetists and orthopaedic specialists who would bolster the hospital’s capacity at different levels of care.

ALSO READ: No end in sight for medical staff shortage

Months later, DA member of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Michéle Clarke, told OFM News that the medical staff shortage seems to be a national issue. At the time, she said there were approximately 21 000 posts that still needed to be filled by provincial departments of health countrywide, and the National Department of Health had not communicated when they would be in a position to fill these posts. 

A doctor from Pelonomi, who spoke anonymously to OFM News and the Bloemfontein Courant, said the medical staff shortage worsens after hours and on weekends. Due to the shortage of nurses, only one theatre can be used for all trauma cases. Among the shortage of staff, there was also a shortage of medical accessories such as syringes and protective clothing, as well as a backlog in equipment maintenance and a shortage of linen. 

The staff shortage not only affects nurses but also security guards and cleaners. Doctors and nurses apparently have to step in regularly to get the theatre ready for the next operation.

ALSO READ: Pelonomi’s refurbishment well under way

One of the challenges highlighted by the SAHRC during their oversight visit to Pelonomi, was the issue of infrastructure. Mvambi recently said the Infrastructure Chief Directorate has decided to completely redesign the sewerage system of the hospital, as it is old and gets blocked frequently. The process of appointing consultants for the sewerage project is under way.

As for the functionality of equipment within Pelonomi, the Clinical Engineering Department has a maintenance plan for the equipment as per the manufacturers' specifications.

Over and above this, rounds are made by the chosen team to inspect medical equipment at the Trauma and Casualty Units every Friday. Reports on findings and/or interventions are provided to the unit. Departments are also requested to annually submit their equipment needs.

The inputs received are then discussed in the equipment committee for prioritisation in line with the available budget. These meetings are attended by the heads of the clinical unit and area managers. This was the process followed to develop this year’s acquisition plan to the tune of R52.2 million.

OFM News