Probe into Helen Joseph finds 'significant infrastructure challenges'

A report by the Office of the Health Ombud has identified "several significant infrastructure challenges" at Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital (HJTH), "indicating a systemic problem". The report comes on the back of an investigation prompted by a series of videos that former broadcaster Thomas Holmes – also known as Tom London – posted on social media last year, lamenting his experience after being admitted as a patient at the busy Johannesburg hospital. Holmes was rushed to Helen Joseph with severe breathing difficulties on 25 August last year. The videos he subsequently posted on social media quickly went viral, leaving South Africans around the country shocked and appalled. Phemelo speaks to the CEO of the Office of Health Standards Compliance, Dr Siphiwe Mndaweni.