Health and Wellness
With regard to recent media reports of another infant death at the Delft Clinic (“They didn’t check him” in the Daily Voice of 4 August 2025):
Whether her Department has implemented measures to address staff effectiveness at the clinic; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCDHW) is deeply saddened by the passing of baby Lee-Hogan Jooste and extends heartfelt condolences to his mother, Ms Jooste, and family during this profoundly difficult time. The loss of a child is an indescribable pain; one we do not wish for any family to experience.
In respect of the concerns raised regarding Delft Community Health Centre (CHC), the WCDHW confirms that a Patient Safety Incident (PSI) investigation was conducted. The investigation established that the healthcare team at Delft CHC acted immediately and appropriately when the baby was brought in on 29 June with severe clinical symptoms, including jaundice, lethargy, and respiratory distress.
The baby was provided with respiratory support, intravenous fluids, and phototherapy, and was prepared for urgent transfer to Tygerberg Hospital in line with clinical protocols. And Baby Jooste was considered stable enough to be transported. Tragically, his condition deteriorated en route, and despite resuscitation efforts, he passed away.
Every PSI investigation also seeks to highlight ways in which systems could be strengthened, based on the findings. This is part the department’s efforts to adopt a learning perspective during every investigation which encourages honesty and reflection when reviewing any incident. It forms part of our larger aim of creating a healthcare system that is compassionate and delivers quality healthcare and assist the department is identifying the interventions that would strengthen the entire healthcare system and have the greatest impact on patient outcomes.
The WCDHW has therefore implemented a set of measures to strengthen service delivery at all health facilities:
- Strengthening staff training and effectiveness – Professional staff are in continuous training and ongoing updates which are in line with the national guidelines for antenatal, postnatal, and neonatal care, with particular emphasis on early detection and management of neonatal jaundice and vertical transmission risks. Functional jaundice is a potential risk for all newborn infants. Mothers are urged to bring the infants to the clinic early for postnatal checks to monitor and treat accordingly.
- Enhanced antenatal and postnatal testing – Rapid plasma regain (RPR) tests for syphilis and all relevant checks are routinely conducted by competent staff at each antenatal visit, with strengthened follow-up systems to ensure early detection and intervention.
- Improved patient communication and follow-up – Clearer protocols are being implemented to ensure that families receive adequate postnatal counselling and follow-up support before and after discharge.
- Support for staff and patients – Counselling and debriefing services are available to both the affected family and healthcare workers involved, recognising the impact of such tragedies.
- Monitoring and accountability – Clinical governance processes at all health facilities are ongoing and strengthening strategies include regular staff audits, case reviews, and management oversight, to ensure that lessons learned are embedded into daily practice.While the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is committed to providing safe and quality healthcare, it acknowledges that there are systemic areas that require constant strengthening. These measures aim to ensure that similar incidents are prevented and that staff effectiveness and patient safety remain at the core of service delivery.
