Nurse suspended after turning away pregnant patient
As the patient was in advanced stages of labour, she eventually gave birth on the clinic's premises.
A MIDWIFERY nurse at Mkhuze Clinic has been suspended with immediate effect following allegations she turned away a pregnant patient.
According to a KZN Department of Health spokesperson, the patient arrived at the clinic on Monday already in labour.
Deeming her ‘high risk’, the nurse, whose name has been withheld, reportedly turned her away, suggesting she be taken to hospital.
As the patient was in advanced stages of labour, she eventually gave birth on the clinic’s premises. Both the mother and baby were deemed healthy and taken to Bethesda Hospital for post-natal care. The department has instituted disciplinary hearings against the suspended nurse.
This incident follows the recent suspension of three healthcare workers from two hospitals near Durban, whose alleged refusal to admit a 19-year-old car accident victim led to his death.
‘The department has no place for healthcare professionals who fail to uphold the rights of healthcare users. We will not hesitate to take stringent action against them,’ said newly-appointed Head of the KZN Department of Health, Sifiso Mtshali.
He said if a healthcare institution is unable to admit a patient during an emergency, the patient must at least be stabilised before being referred.
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