He says the list of patients admitted for the 72-hour observation period is being controlled by the technical team to ensure that appropriate measures are put in place. Furthermore, he says the hospital’s management has taken into consideration that the new ward will require the allocation of personnel.

"We are also satisfied that there will be staff allocated to look after these mental healthcare users at this new observation unit because it is the prerogative of the management to move staff around and allocate them according to areas of need. This is happening on a daily basis in terms of all other functional units of the hospital. So, no patient will be without attention, and we know that we should be able to do that.”.

OFM News previously reported that psychiatric and medical patients allegedly share wards at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital.

Also read: Free State Health's ratio of psychologists a shocking 1:733 110

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi