View Document - Parliament of South Africa

77 TUESDAY, 7 OCTOBER 2008
78
Gauteng
(1) The department monitors waiting lists
for Tertiary Services (Cardiac, Orthopedics,
and spinal surgery) which are
predominantly performed at four Central
hospitals. Kalafong and Helen Joseph
hospitals render some Tertiary
Services even though they are regional
hospitals.
(a) Not applicable
(b) Monthly reports of operations/
procedures that are performed by
all hospitals are submitted to Head
Office through the DHIS for collation
and analysis.
(i) — Orthopedic (Joint Replacement)
Surgery (Major Surgery
— Cardiac)
— Ophthalmology (Cataract),
and
— Gynaecology (Elective procedures
such as hysterectomy)
(ii) See (i) above.
(iii) Monthly.
(2) This varies from time to time and also
from one hospital to another, but on
average the waiting period ranges from
six weeks to eighteen months.
Limpopo
(1) Waiting lists are being monitored in
order to guide service delivery strategy.
(i) Five Surgery lists, three Urology
lists, three neurosurgery lists per
week.
(ii) Most surgery lists are interrupted
by Emergency Surgery which is
not provided for resulting in high
cancellation figures.
Surgery department Waiting time
OPD Appointments — Mankweng
Hospital
3 weeks
OPD Appointments — Polokwane
Hospital
3 weeks
Theatre waiting list — Mankweng
Hospital
2 months
Theatre waiting list — Polokwane
Hospital
4 months
Urology — OPD appointments (2008
list was full in May 2008)
7 months
Urology — theatre waiting list 6 weeks
Neurosurgery — OPD appointments
Contribution factors
2 months
Mammography 5 weeks
X-Ray screening tests (Barium studies) 3 weeks
MRI appointments 3 weeks
CT scanner appointments
NHLS history reports
4-6 weeks
Example
(i) Patient with CA Oesophagus
Waits three weeks for appointment with
surgeon, five weeks for Barium Swallow,
four weeks for Histology = twelve
weeks for a Diagnosis during which
time he becomes too weak for surgical
intervention.
(ii) Lady with a breast lump
Waits three-twelve Weeks for appointment
with a surgeon, five weeks for
Mammography, four weeks for Histology,
two months for Surgery =
± eight-twelve weeks for surgery.
Solutions:
1. Increase the capacity of the radiology
department.
2. Install mammography and fluoroscopy
equipment at other centres.
3. Provide emergency theatres.
4. Increase the capacity of the peripheral
hospitals and reduce local load.
5. Recruit surgeons for the provincial and
regional hospitals.
6. Improve team spirit and co-operation
between departments.