The transfer of hundreds of mentally ill patients from Life Healthcare Esidimeni to other health facilities is not going well‚ according to the Democratic Alliance’s Jack Bloom. In a statement on Tuesday‚ Bloom said that many relatives of patients are not told where their family members are moved to and‚ in some case‚ their medication and clothing is being left behind.Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Steve Mabona said that a regrettable impression is being created that the department is "ill-prepared" for the relocation of patients to other facilities."But‚ contrary to that‚ the relocation is going well and‚ we can assure you that all the facilities (NGOs‚ Weskoppies and Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital) are ready to take incoming patients.”Following the cancellation of the Gauteng Health Department's contract with Life Healthcare‚ about 2,000 psychiatric patients have to be discharged by the end of June.Mabona said that‚ so far‚ 460 patients have been transferred and their families were informed accordingly.Bloom reported that the SA Depression and Anxiety Group has been inundated with calls from anxious families who don't know where their mentally ill relatives have been taken.“I am concerned by the disorderly transfer of vulnerable patients to a variety of NGOs and provincial health facilities that may not be able to provide adequate care for them‚” Bloom said.Bloom added that the Gauteng Health Department is rushing the transfer for budgetary reasons.Gauteng MEC for Health Qedani Mahlangu announced in October 2015 that the department had given notice to end the contract with Life Healthcare Esidimeni.For almost 40 years‚ Life Healthcare Esidimeni provided chronic mental healthcare to patients in Gauteng under contract from the government. It accommodates long-term patients needing specialised care.The MEC said at the time that they wanted to reduce the numbers of psychiatric patients at facilities by discharging all those who are responding well to treatment and integrate them back to communities and while giving them treatment closer to their homes.Mahlangu added that patients that require further management would be referred to state hospitals that have psychiatric wards.Mahlangu said that during 2014/2015 financial year the department spent about R323 712 000 on Life healthcare Esidimeni hospital for treatment of around 2378 patients. – TMG Digital..