Question NW1237 to the Minister of Health
21 April 2022 - NW1237
Thembekwayo, Dr S to ask the Minister of Health
Whether he has been informed that nurses at the Mandela Sisulu Clinic in Ward 39, Johannesburg, actually chase patients out of the specified clinic when they take their lunch time break which spans from 12:00 until 15:00; if not, why not; if so, what steps will he take to address the situation?
Reply:
Following receipt of the parliamentary question, the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health conducted the investigation to verify the allegations. The investigation revealed the following:
Members of staff in the Mandela Sisulu Clinic deny any knowledge of such a practice. The staff members indicated that they actually have to forego their morning tea break in order to serve patients, as a result of the high volumes of patient numbers in the morning on a daily basis. The staff members further stated that they take their lunch on rotational basis, so that there are always staff members that continue to assist patients. There may be times where some patients may have preference with regard to a particular staff member. It is in times such as this that patients may have to wait for that staff member, although this is not a common practice in this clinic.
Remedial action:
The staff members will continue to communicate with the patients on any developments and their actions as necessary. This will include announcements to patients when they take breaks as provided for within their conditions of work employment, as this may leave a reduced staff compliment for that time.
The Supervisors will also undertake unannounced visits to ensure proper compliance to continuity of service delivery and where necessary ensure adherence to Departmental policy prescripts. In this way, there will be some certainty of continuity of provision of the services.
END.