media reports
25 May 2007
The Department of Health would like to set the record straight regarding the
recent media reports relating to the Port Elizabeth Emergency Medical Services
(EMS).
The headline "the funding has dried up" is not accurate and truthful and
creates an incorrect impression. On the contrary, there is adequate funding for
justified overtime for EMS, as reported by the Departmental Spokesperson. The
overtime allocation is indicated by the available resources and funding for
overtime, as and when necessitated for the need of overtime. About 192
positions have been advertised and that process is still underway to address
current 30% vacancy rate. The department has set R30,5 million to recruit
emergency staff.
The emergency service at the Nelson Mandela Metro cover at least 80 000
square kilometres and officials travel approximately 570 000 kilometres per
month. There are 10 paramedics operating within the Nelson Mandela Metro, eight
are based in the Metro and two in Graaff Reinet. Attempts are being made to
employ paramedics and to deal with this situation; the department is currently
training about 24 students in Port Elizabeth.
In Humansdorp, Grahamstown and Graaff Reinet, there is a contingency plan
where employees are scheduled to work on compulsory overtime basis to ensure
that all ambulances are adequately crewed in order to sustain effective service
delivery. Sick leave, leave and training are affecting our manning levels but
the issue of excessive sick leave has the most negative effect and
consequences. This situation is being managed and counselling sessions are
being conducted. Currently the province has one per 30 000 and the department
is confident that by 2010 it will be in a position to meet this national
targeted norm.
An alarming report on the Metro highlights a pattern of sick leave that
appears to be excessive, if compared to sick leave patterns in other
surrounding areas. In order to combat this situation, a sick leave policy with
strict control measures has been introduced. For any sick leave, even for one
day, a medical certificate is required. Staff members are interviewed, the
doctors are consulted to verify authenticity of the certificate and the person
intending to be booked off sick is required to advise the relevant supervisor
at least six hours prior to the commencement of the shift. Allegations around
excessive sick leave being taken in order for colleagues to work overtime,
causing staff shortages are being probed.
There are 42 operational workers in the metro who are expected to be on duty
at any given time and these personnel are distributed as follows: eight are in
the control room, and the rest are managing ambulances. As a result there are a
total of 15 ambulances and two rescue vehicles available at any given time, to
service a population of 1 300 000. All the challenges faced by the department
are being addressed and there are interventions in place.
Issued by: Department of Health, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
25 May 2007
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecdoh.gov.za/)
