Health MEC pleased with care provided to Tom London at Helen Joseph Hospital
Former broadcaster Tom London criticized Helen Joseph Hospital for the unhygienic conditions and the treatment he received during his admission.
Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko expressed her satisfaction with the clinical care provided to former broadcaster Tom London at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg.
This comes as London took to social media to complain about the mistreatment of patients by doctors and deteriorating infrastructure, especially the ablution facilities.
TOM LONDON COMPLAINS ABOUT MISTREATMENT AT HELEN JOSEPH HOSPITAL
According to the Department of Health in Gauteng, the 51-year-old was admitted to the hospital on Sunday, 25 August, presenting with difficulty in breathing. He was in the facility for 14 days, where he was cared for, subjected to various tests, and stabilised.
On Saturday, 7 September, he signed a refusal of treatment form and discharged himself from hospital.
According to reports, London’s friends have managed to raise enough funds through donations, for him to be treated at a private hospital as he does not have medical aid.
In the videos he shared on social media, London accused the doctors at the facility of lacking empathy and being disrespectful. He further alleged that ablution facilities are unhygienic and that he had to wake up at 4:00 to take a bath using a bucket.
GAUTENG HEALTH MEC SATSIFIED WITH CLINICAL CARE
On Sunday, Nkomo-Ralehoko visited Helen Joseph Hospital following London’s complaint.
The MEC met met with the hospital management team together with senior officials from the department where she was appraised about the care provided to the talk show host.
Gauteng Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said having received a briefing from the clinicians on the treatment given to Tom London; the department is satisfied that adequate clinical care was
discharged to manage his condition.
“In addition, the department is willing to allow an independent process to review the quality of clinical care provided to him while at Helen Joseph Hospital.
“There are known infrastructure issues that are being attended to as part of the maintenance and refurbishment programme. However, these have not had a material effect on the treatment given to patients admitted to the hospital,” he said.