12 May 2006
"The well-being of our patients in our facilities receives the highest
priority and the treatment they receive must be compared with the best in the
world. This is only possible though, if we create circumstances wherein our
nurse personnel can deliver service of the highest quality," said Western Cape
Health Minister Pierre Uys.
Minister Uys paid tribute to the unselfish task nurses deliver daily, during
a gathering of nurse personnel. "I know that the pressure on nurses increases
every day but I am comforted by the positive inclination of our nurses across
the entire province," said Uys.
"The Western Cape is also like the rest of the world suffering from a
serious shortage of sufficient nurses but every day we are busy working on
creative and purposeful solutions," said Uys.
Minister Uys announced that the Department of Health made good progress to
create a Directorate for Nurse Services and that the posts will be advertised
soon. The directorate will be responsible for advice to the Department and the
co-ordination of nurse related issues. There will also be focus on the concerns
dealing with service provision.
Minister Uys also mentioned other areas where they are working hard to
improve the working environments of nurses:
* frequent meetings with a representative nurseâs managing committee where
matters like overtime payment and rare skills subsidies are being dealt
with.
* the upgrading and extending of facilities to create a friendly working
environment like the large projects currently taking place at the hospitals in
George, Worcester, Paarl, Stikland and Vredenburg.
* the awarding of more bursaries for nurse students. This year 2 948
bursaries were awarded.
* the replacing and upgrading of equipment. In the current financial year
the department spent R174 million on new medical equipment.
* nurse welfare programmes are in place to cope with pressure and stress, to
give emotional support and even to help with household problems.
Minister Uys said that on national level, he is part of a process that has
progressed very well to look at the improvement of professional nurseâs
salaries. It is time that our nurses are better remunerated for the unselfish
service they deliver.
"There is no doubt that enough nurses can be directly equalised to better
treatment of patients and thus lower casualties. I am appealing to young people
to consider a career in nursing. This is an exciting career with many facets
and offers the opportunity for promotions, especially if you enjoy working with
people," concluded Uys.
Enquiries:
Faiza Steyn
Director Communications
Tel: (021) 483 3235
Source: Department of Health, Western Cape Provincial Government
12 May 2006
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za/)
