Psychiatric patients to be moved to vetted establishments
The transfer of 789 mentally ill patients in 22 nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) will begin next week‚ Gauteng health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa said on Wednesday. She was explaining interventions being undertaken by the department following the shocking deaths of state psychiatric patients. The MEC‚ who was parachuted into the job after the scandal‚ said a team of experts had assessed the patients and the competencies of the receiving facilities that would take care of their specialised needs. "All logistical arrangements on the said transfer are in place. The transfer of patients will not be rushed and will be carried out properly‚" said Ramokgopa. She said the department would ensure that patients were brought closer to their homes and families to make it easier for families to visit the patients. Ramokgopa said an effective monitoring and evaluation system would be put in place to ensure that patients were not compromised during transfers‚ adding that transparency was crucial. "We a...
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