Bheki Mlangeni Hospital gets 14-bed psychiatry ward

The department’s spokesperson Kwara Kekana says the moves comes amid an increased demand for mental health care at the Soweto hospital.

Between January 2020 and August 2021, the hospital admitted more than 2300 mental healthcare patients.  

Last year’s biggest intake of mental healthcare patients was October, with 205 people. 

For 2021, the highest number of mental health patients to come through the hospital’s doors was in January with 224 mental health care patients. 

“The Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital does not have a dedicated psychiatry ward due to its classification as level 1 facility. The current hospital district mental health care services package allows for 72-hour observation, which depending on a level of care needed, patients are referred to either regional or tertiary hospital.  

“From the regional or tertiary hospital, patients are referred to specialised psychiatry hospitals namely: Sterkfontein, Weskoppies and Tara,” Kekana says. 

The dedicated ward will have 14 beds.  

“The hospital currently has space for 26 mental health patients, which caters for 14 male and 12 female patients,” Kekana adds.  

“We wish to emphasize that mental health patients are only placed in other wards only when they need treatment for another condition, in addition to mental health care.  

“The department is confident that in addition to security measures in place, this intervention will help relieve pressure in other wards.”

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