GEORGE NEWS - The family of Lulama Feni (36), a woman who died in front of Thembalethu Community Day Centre in November last year, is currently seeking legal advice in their quest to sue the Department of Health for negligence.

A family member of the deceased, Castro Fuba, said they are very satisfied with the outcome of an investigation by the department regarding the incident. A report released on 25 January states that the department's investigation found five staff members did not perform their duties according to expectation and were given disciplinary sanctions.

Fuba said they blame the clinic for not helping her in her time of need.

What happened?

Feni paid a visit to the Thembalethu Community Day Centre on 16 November 2023 to fetch chronic medication. According to Fuba, she started feeling bad while she was there, and told personnel she has chest pains and couldn't breathe.

According to the family she did not receive help, and was escorted out of the clinic at 16:00, because it was closing time. She sat down outside the clinic on the side of the road and asked passers-by for help. They tried to call an ambulance and also went to the police station. Feni died a few minutes later.

An ambulance arrived shortly before 17:00, but there was nothing more they could do for her.

Initial feedback

Initial feedback from the Department of Health, shortly after the incident, stated the patient was given "appropriate management" when she complained of chest pains. "Observations were done and the client was seen by a clinician at 15:00 and received her medication from the pharmacy at 16:07," said Nadia Ferreira, spokesperson of the Department of Health.

"The patient complained of chest pain and was given appropriate management. She walked out of the clinic unassisted after waiting for an hour for her medication. At the time the clinic closed at 16:25 there were no patients requiring medical attention. We were however informed the next day that someone did come back to the clinic and requested an ambulance for a person who had collapsed nearby. The security guard then phoned an ambulance."

Internal investigation

However, an internal investigation was done during November and December, and shortcomings were addressed. Among them is the installation of a new CCTV system with live monitors in the support service office, pharmacy and security office. Security guards will now receive first-aid training and a standard operating procedure notice was released to all facilities in the Garden Route to alert facilities that securities are responsible to inform staff of any patient in distress outside facilities and should bring the patient into the facility if possible.

Ferreira said yesterday that the George health team thanks Feni's family and community members for the open discussions that could take place about the incident at Thembalethu Clinic.

"We can confirm that the internal investigation has been completed and where necessary, action has been taken against staff. We also met with the security contractor and it was agreed that the security guards will receive first-aid training within the next six months, even though this is not a requirement of the current service level agreement.

"We have also installed a new CCTV system which will be monitored directly by security staff, as well as medical staff."

Read a previous article: Patient dies in front of clinic 

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