The Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) and Health Ombud have finalised investigations into Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital on allegations by Tom London, ruling that the allegations are unsubstantial.
Radio broadcaster Thomas Holmes, otherwise known as Tom London, posted a video, going viral on social media in September 2024, expressing his displeasure with the Helen Joseph Hospital in Gauteng.
London was a patient at the hospital, admitted for pneumonia, when he allegedly experienced and witnessed disrespect and incompetence from the staff, including doctors and nurses. London called the hospital a “circus hospital” and scrutinised the standard of treatment, saying that the doctors treated the patients like cockroaches.
“I have not seen not one doctor walk into our ward and say ‘Good morning Mr. So-and-So, how are you? ‘ Nothing. They treat the patients with absolute disdain and disrespect,” London said.
In the video, London further speaks about the unkept and unsafe state of the infrastructure of the hospital, from the shortage of beds in the wards, to the lack of bathroom facilities, and the poor state of care for patients.
After London’s rent on social media, the Department of Health issued an investigation into the allegations against Helen Joseph Hospital.
The report by HOSC and the Ombud says that there was no evidence found during the investigations to support London’s clinical treatment allegations against the hospital.
Although it was also confirmed that some of what London alleged was true. However, Health Ombudsman Professor Taole Mokoena suggests that a number of these incidents were standard procedures. Thus, the staff handled the matter as best as they could considering the state of the hospital and how full it was, causing a backlog in proceedings.
“That hospital was built in 1944, so it’s exactly 80 years ago. Certainly, it hasn’t received refurbishments or proper maintenance for the past several years,” said Mokoena responding to London’s claims on the hospital’s infrastructure.
Moreover Health News says the investigation has revealed additional issues within the Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital premises and operations. The Health Ombud has vowed to take a look at these and find effective solutions.
