Hospitals not affected by staff departure: MEC Mahlangu
The Gauteng Health MEC, Ms Qedani Mahlangu has assured the public that the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital continues to thrive and render quality services despite losing clinical staff pursuing better opportunities in the private sector.
The hospital currently has 403 clinical vacancies in the following categories:
- Nursing – 364 (2201 post filled)
- Medical – 12 (625 posts filled)
- Allied staff – 27 (305 posts filled)
“The primary reason cited for leaving especially for those who are still under 50 years of age (not retiring), is due to better remuneration in the private sector and the opportunity for self-employment. That said, we can reassure the public that there has been no impact on patient care related to the loss of skilled staff as vacant posts are filled timeously. Vacancies are advertised as and when they become available. The hospital currently has staff complement of about 3131 in these key clinical categories (nursing, medical and allied staff),” said Mahlangu.
The MEC further revealed that Thelle Mogoerane Hospital in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni has also experienced staff departures due to similar reasons. “At Thelle Mogoerane many staff departures can be attributed to personal reasons such as promotions, work overload and distance between home and work place. This however, has not affected patient care as patients are referred to tertiary facilities whenever the need arises,” she added.
It should be noted that the facility is in the process of expanding the training platform by appointing registrars and consultants in neurosurgery, general surgery, urology and internal medicine jointly with the University of the Witwatersrand. The aim of this partnership is to enhance clinical skills and offer more specialised services in the hospital.
The hospital has vacancies in the following categories:
- Nursing – 38 (820 post are filled)
- Medical – 12 (110 post filled)
- Allied staff – 1 (88 filled)
Moreover, the hospital has high bed occupancy rate which leads to work overload. Bed occupancy rate per department:
Medicine: 105%; Surgery: 90%; Orthopedics: 90%; Obstetrics and Gynecology: 84%; Pediatrics: 65%; Neonatal unit: 90%; Surgical specialties: 77%; Critical care: 85% and Psychiatry: 86%.
Enquiries:
Steve Mabona
Cell: 072 574 3860
E-mail: mediaenquiries@gauteng.gov.za
