Thursday, 28 March, 2024
HomeMedico-LegalGauteng Health settles with family of woman tied to bench

Gauteng Health settles with family of woman tied to bench

Gauteng Health has reached an undisclosed settlement with Martha Marais' family after she was tied to a bench in the waiting area of Mamelodi Hospital last year, the MEC's office is quoted in a News24 report as saying. The settlement was reached with the help of the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and facilitated by retired judge Neels Claasen of the SA Medico Legal Association.

"Due to confidentiality requirements of the mediation, the parties to the matter will not disclose the terms of settlement. Both parties believe that the settlement is comprehensive and fair enough as it includes redress and improvements of our protocols at facility level."

The department said it had learnt that mediation could be a successful way of resolving claims against the department.

The SAHRC was told that Marais was tied up because she was confused, but her treatment also exposed the shortage of adequate facilities in the casualty department.

According to the report, the department said a five-year planning process is nearing completion and resources are being prioritised to improve patients' experience of care in our facilities.

[link url="https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/gauteng-health-dept-settles-with-family-of-martha-marais-who-was-tied-to-mamelodi-hospital-bench-20200105"]News24 report[/link]

See also

[link url="https://www.medicalbrief.co.za/archives/sahrc-concerns-hospital-patient-tied-bench/"]SAHRC ‘concerns’ about hospital where patient was tied to a bench[/link]

[link url="https://www.medicalbrief.co.za/archives/gauteng-health-promises-healthcare-counselling-patient-tied-bench/"]Gauteng Health promises healthcare and counselling to patient who was tied to bench[/link]

[link url="https://www.medicalbrief.co.za/archives/patient-tied-bench-dont-blame-nurse-says-union/"]Patient tied to bench: Don’t blame the nurse, says union[/link]

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