Gauteng medical negligence claims up

Johannesburg - Claims lodged against the Gauteng health department due to medical negligence were increasing, the department said on Tuesday.

"The reasons for such an increase in the number of claims are numerous and include - an increased awareness of rights by patients, a worldwide trend, better litigations, a legal profession that is actively touting patients in hospital wards and a concerning culture of unprofessional conduct that seems to be on the rise," the department said.

The department was concerned by the increasing number of payouts, and would investigate together with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).