Health
How did the strike by pathologists in June 2017 affect bereaved families, (b) what assistance is being given to these families, (c) what measures are in place to ensure that bereaved families are not adversely affected by the effects of the strike and (d) what preventative measures have been taken to ensure that such disruptions do not occur in the future?
Correction: Some of the Forensic Pathology Officers (FPOs) were on strike and not pathologists.
- This strike formed part of a national strike action of FPOs affiliated with Nehawu and mostly affected the two Metro facilities (Salt River and Tygerberg). A small number of FPOs withheld specific activities over two days.
The FPOs indicated on 27 June 2017 that they would not be performing eviscerations and returned to full duty on the 29th. This resulted in a delay in autopsies needing to be performed and subsequently resulted in bereaved families having to delay the funerals.
At that time when the strike was called on 27 June 2017, Salt River and Tygerberg had the following number of cases awaiting post-mortem examination:
Salt River: 45 cases
Tygerberg: 75 cases
During this period the FPO’s still performed all other functions (bar evisceration). Salt River still conducted 22 autopsies and released 21 decedents, whilst Tygerberg conducted 28 autopsies and released 32 decedents.
Between 27 June and 24 July the following number of cases had been admitted
Salt River: 340 cases
Tygerberg: 324 cases
Autopsies concluded:
Salt River: 335 cases
Tygerberg: 325 cases
Cases handed over for burial:
Salt River: 333 cases
Tygerberg: 282 cases
- The Department assisted families as far as possible with the available resources and continue to deal with complaints and requests for prioritization of cases. To fast track cases, support was also provided to Tygerberg by personnel (Pathologists and FPOs) outside of the Metro due to the larger number of cases that were awaiting post-mortem examination.
- Post-mortem examinations have continued to be fast tracked and concluded in order for bereaved families to continue with the funeral arrangements. The current waiting period from admission to post-mortem examination is back to normal, pre-strike conditions.
The strike action was as a result of national transversal matters such as danger allowances. A National Agreement had been reached with Labour with regards to these matters.
