Question NW1301 to the Minister of Health
19 May 2023 - NW1301
Motsepe, Ms CCS to ask the Minister of Health
What are the reasons that his department is phasing out temporarily-employed nurses in clinics and hospitals in light of the huge shortages of nurses who are qualified to do the work across the Republic?
Reply:
The Provincial Departments of Health are required to phase out or terminate contracts of the temporarily employed nurses in clinics and hospitals funded through the Covid-19 Grant. National Treasury has since terminated the Covid-19 Grant with effect from 1 April 2023 amounting to R1.9 Billion. The National Department of Health is continuously engaging National Treasury to consider the prolongation of funding some or all of these terminated contracted employees (including the nurses) during this current financial year (i.e. 2023/2024). The discussions are continuing in this regard.
The Provincial Departments of Health are the employers of nurses’ categories and continuation of employment of permanent or temporary is based on service delivery needs. Due to budget constraints, Provincial Departments of Health had opted to continue to maintain and fund temporary employment of nurses who manage periodical campaigns (e.g. Immunization campaigns amongst others) through voted funds in the provinces.
END.