New policy sets out quality-assurance guidelines

RELATED LINKS: Joburg to take over clinics and hospitals The City of Johannesburg is poised to be the first local authority in the country to take over the primary health care services from the provincial government when it assumes control of the 20 clinics across the city within the next 12 months. Read more Joburg set to be medical capital of Africa Wits University's Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Parktown will secure Joburg's position as the medical capital of Africa and help stem the exodus of South African doctors from the country. Read more Health centres impress visitors A team of chief executives from hospitals around the UK were hosted by Johannesburg's Department of Health this week and treated to a wealth of information on the current state and future goals of the city's health fraternity. Read more Major public hospitals and clinics Telephone numbers and street addresses of municipal community clinics, provincial hospitals, and care centres, arranged alphabetically by suburb. Read more Private hospitals and clinics Private hospitals offer a variety of specialists and general practitioners; some but not all have emergency rooms. Read more City's Health Department The Johannesburg central Health Department has six units dealing with: Primary health Communicable and non-communicable diseases HIV/Aids Environmental health Pharmaceutical services Health Information System (HIS)

Major check-up for city healthcare May 21, 2004 By Chandrea Gerber THE City of Johannesburg wants Joburgers to be able to count on getting the best healthcare science can deliver. So it is developing a new set of quality-assurance guidelines. Healthcare that maintains human dignity is essential in a democratic society. "Quality of care is pivotal in the city and throughout the country," says Sara Dass, the assistant director of primary healthcare in Johannesburg. Johannesburg has a vision of a quality health service, and has stated its clear commitment to delivering this. But policies are needed to ensure these ideals - which is where the policy framework of quality assurance comes in. The suggestions - which are just awaiting the final nod of the mayoral committee - are already being put into practise in clinics throughout the city. The plan includes the creation of a standardised complaints form for patients, and a satisfaction survey for customers and staff. The aim to is make sure all who receive or administer healthcare put their suggestions across. This is essential, says Dass, so that gaps in delivery are identified, and remedies put into place. The policy identifies ways in which clinics, or service-delivery points, can co-ordinate training and staff development - enabling staff to put the guidelines into practice. "Improvement in quality must be practical - something everyone can do - so that it is within the scope of the people involved," says Dass. There will be regular supervisory visits by managers and quarterly meetings of a quality-control team, which will analyse improvements. Dass hopes these improvements will be practised and standardised as soon as possible, so that Joburgers can see real changes in the quality of the city's health services. "I hope people don't see the patient-satisfaction survey as an additional task, but rather as a tool to improve service. That is what it is intended for," says Dass. "Together everyone can make a difference." And, says Dass, the smooth running of the policy will help people "feel a tangible difference in what we do". Permission to use web site material Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as: Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website (www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency (www.joburg.org.za)"; If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original article on this website; The name of the article's author is acknowledged; The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill in this brief online form). Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 Print this Page E-mail this article to a friend Help using Joburg.org.za