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Rebecca L

1 reviews | Active since Dec 2020

03 Aug 2021, 21:20

Lancet Laboratories denied bereaved family covid results

I hereby complaint about staff members, Amanda Lamprecht, Simon van der Merwe, Njabulo Sibonelo Ninela at Lancet Laboratories who disrespected the whole family of the deceased by refusing to give covid results to the member of the bereaved family. Amanda told me that I am not a sibling, which kinda like offended so bad. I was the only one family member to identify the deceased at the mortuary without knowing their covid status. We are have all been her contact, so lancet have been disrespectful to deny us information for the sake of contact tracing. We have the right to know the status since we were the family that was packing the her whole house. I did follow the right process requested of sending the required details. But its been a month now since the bereaved family is waiting for the lab report. Very disappointed at their poor service and low sympathetic approach.

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Replies (2)
Lancet
Lancet's reply04 Aug 2021, 08:57
Official
Good day Rebecca, thank you for bringing this to our attention, we have escalated the matter. Your reference number is: 2 5 1 3 3 7 1 . Regards, Lancet Laboratories.       

Lancet
Lancet's reply04 Aug 2021, 15:55
Official
Dear Rebecca

Kindly note that Lancet Laboratories cannot release the results in terms of the National Health Act in reference to confidentiality protecting and providing information:

As per the HPCSA guidelines, Booklet 5 Confidentiality Protecting and Providing Information, it states: 

“3.1 The National Health Act states that all patients have a right to confidentiality and this is consistent with the right to privacy in the South African Constitution (Act No. 108 of 1996). 

3.2.6 In the case of a deceased patient with the written consent of the next of kin or the executor of the deceased’s estate.”

The Act states that a 'user' must consent to disclosures in writing (section 14(2)(a)), In terms of the Act, the specific order of precedence is 'a spouse or partner, a parent, a grandparent, an adult child or a brother or sister of the person' (section 7(1)(b)).

Unfortunately as the sister-in-law, you do not fall within the definition of the “next of kin” as per the National health Act.

Lancet Laboratories has provided the requirements for a third party request, however did not receive any further communication with the requested supporting documents.

Should the request be for insurance claim purposes, the insurance houses would have the required information and support to be able to request the medical report for the deceased.

Lancet Laboratories complies with the PAIA and POPIA regulations and upholds the standard of care to our patients and clients.

Regards,
Lancet Laboratories.