Under-staffing and security of patients are some of the main challenges experienced at the West End Mental Health Facility in Kimberley.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) conducted an oversight visit at the facility on Tuesday. The party has raised concerns about delays in the opening of the new mental health hospital. It’s taken over a decade to complete.
West End Hospital is the only mental hospital in the province. It admits a hundred-and-forty-two patients. Awaiting trial prisoners are also referred to the facility. The bed capacity is limited and only emergency cases are admitted.
“We can do with more of staffing; we can get more efficiency in terms of our clinical outcomes,” says Albert Links/West End Hospital CEO.
“There are still people who’re being housed in prison, that is completely unnecessary and it’s unacceptable, it’s actually inhumane because we do have a facility, a brand new state of the art hospital where these patients can actually be housed,” says Northern Cape DA leader.
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