NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 3173
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 21 October 2011
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 33)
Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether a system to (a) monitor and (b) measure the levels of
responsiveness, particularly regarding (i) the treatment of patients
with dignity, (ii) confidentiality, (iii) ensuring a prompt response
time and (iv) promoting autonomy for persons, will be implemented
under the National Health Insurance (NHI); if not, why not; if so,
what are the relevant details;
(2) whether any guidelines will be put in place to ensure a health care
system that is responsive to the wants and needs of patients,
particularly regarding ensuring dignity, confidentiality, a prompt
response time and promoting autonomy for persons; if not, why not; if
so, what guidelines will be put in place under the NHI to prevent (a)
maltreatment, (b) discrimination and (c) abuse of patients in the
public sector?
NW3529E
REPLY:
1) It is not possible at this stage to give details of monitoring or
assessment systems to be implemented under NHI, as this process is at
an early stage of piloting to determine the best models of delivery.
However systems that already exist to monitor the concerns raised such
as the review of patient complaints and the use of patient
satisfaction surveys will certainly continue to be used. The National
Core Standards do cover respect for patientsâ dignity,
confidentiality, waiting times and provision of information and
informed consent; and the audit tool is already being used to assess
current practice; external inspections by the Office of Health
Standards Compliance will reinforce the measurement of these aspects
in the future.
2) A discussion of specific new guidelines to be produced under the NHI
is rather premature; however the Patient Rights Charter that is
already in place does cover the concerns raised as do the National
Core Standards which are already being disseminated across the health
services. The future Office of Health Standards Compliance is also
envisaged to have a strong role in investigating breaches of such
guidelines through the investigation of complaints or incidents that
come to its notice.
END.