The Clinical Complaints Investigative Unit (CCIU) handles all High and Extreme Risk Rated clinical complaints related to breaches of norms and standards in various health establishments. All complaints regarding inappropriate medical treatment, clinical mismanagement and medical negligence in various health establishments, are handled by the CCIU.
The CCIU investigators apply their investigative prowess and clinical expertise in investigating and resolving all clinical complaints from various health establishments. Upon conclusion of the investigation, the Ombud produces an investigation report with findings and recommendations. The office monitors the implementation of the recommendations within the healthcare system to protect and promote safe and quality healthcare services.
Some of the finalised investigations include the highly publicised cases such as, Life Esidimeni: The Health Ombud’s Report into the circumstances surrounding the death of mentally ill patients in Gauteng Province. Tembisa Hospital: The Health Ombud’s Report into circumstances surrounding the care and death of Mr. Shonisani Lethole at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital. Investigation Report into allegations of patient mismanagement and patient’s rights violations at Tower Psychiatric Hospital and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centre. To see more investigation reports, click on publications option.
The Legal Cases Sub-Unit provides legal support to the Health Ombud and investigates all legal cases related to the norms and standards in various health establishments. Furthermore, the Legal Cases Sub-Unit is also involved in the National Preventative Mechanism (NPM).
The South African NPM is comprised of the following institutions: the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) which plays a leading role in all NPM activities, Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services (JICS), Health Ombud (HO), Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and Military Ombud (MO).
The NPM regularly conducts unannounced visits to places of deprivation of liberty such as correctional facilities, police detention cells, mental health care facilities and places of safety, in terms of Article 4 of the United Nations Operational Protocol to the Convention Against torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT).
The Health Ombud provides guidance and expert opinion to the South African NPM on mental health care issues and other healthcare issues. This is due to the Health Ombud’s office staff composition which includes both healthcare and legal practitioners.
The benefits of the NPM is that it can identify trends, deterioration of conditions of detention and provide recommendations to reinforce or implement preventative measures as stipulated in international and domestic human rights laws.
For more information on NPM, please visit: www.sahrc.org.za
Your Voice Matters
SMS your complaint to 48090
Lodge a Complaint 080 911 6472
Email your complaint to complaints@healthombud.org.za
Safeguarding Quality Healthcare
Your Voice Matters
SMS your complaint to 48090
Lodge a Complaint 080 911 6472
Email your complaint to complaints@healthombud.org.za
Safeguarding Quality Healthcare
08:00 - 17:00
48090 SMS Line