Health
What are the details of the collaborative approach between the public and private healthcare services in terms of admissions, hospitalisation and the sharing of resources during the COVID-19 pandemic?
In order to optimally utilise the inpatient capacity available in the province, the Department is collaborating with the private health sector to ensure a ‘single integrated public/private’ health system response to Covid-19. To enable this a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being developed, clinical guidelines are being endorsed by the College of Medicine for use across the public/private hospital platform, clinical ethics committees are being set-up to guide care rationing, administrative intermediaries are being appointed to manage the monitoring and billing interface; and tariffs are being negotiated nationally.
Mechanisms to co-ordinate the COVID-19 health system response have been integrated into existing governance structures within the Department (Gold, Silver and Bronze Command), which includes the private sector. These commands coordinate service access across public and private health sectors.
Combining resources optimally from the private and public sectors in a single health system response who will also de-escalate non-emergency services, add additional capacity where feasible and create additional off-site facilities that can be equipped and staffed appropriately.
