The Deputy Minister of Health Dr Molefi Sefularo convened a two-day meeting in Pretoria to review the piloting of the national core standards to improve quality of healthcare services, particularly in the public sector. The standards have been piloted in 24 districts.
The meeting which ended on 19 March 2010 was attended by Quality assurance staff from the national Department of Health and provinces, technical partners from Medical Research Council (MRC) and Health Systems Trust (HST), University Research Council (URC), Reproductive Health Research Unit (RHRU), Department for International Development (DFID) consultants and the private sector. Also present was Lord Nigel Crisp, Independent Member of House of Lords in United Kingdom.
The meeting follows the Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi’s debate on the President’s State of the Nation Address on 15 February 2010, where he committed the Department of Health’s office of standard compliance to test in all provinces the assessment tool on how to audit compliance with standards in all provinces from 8 to 12 March 2010. This is to assist hospitals and district managers to meet the standards.
The key resolutions of the meeting to fast-track quality improvement were:
* Identified what worked well, and did not work well and worked on possible solutions
* Agreed on the action plan or work streams and prepare for a presentation to the next National Health Council
* Agreed on setting up of a core group to finalise the process fast-tracking quality improvement involves the following six priority areas:
* attitudes and values
* waiting times
* cleanliness
* patient safety
* infection prevention and control
* availability of medicines and supplies.
The Deputy Minister emphasised that the quality standards are very central to the health system as they address key areas essential to providing quality care. He cautioned that the standards should at all times speak to the six priorities.
“I am privileged to witness the determination and skills with which people are setting out to improve quality of service in South Africa. I am sure my colleagues in United Kingdom (UK) would be happy to share their experiences and learn from yours,” said Lord Nigel Crisp, Independent Member of House of Lords in UK and Quality Health Systems expert.
The quality standards team will present their progress report to the National Health Council (NHC) to be attended by the Minister of Health, Deputy Minister, all MECs, Director-General and Heads of Department (HODs) next month.
Enquiries:
Charity Bhengu
Cell: 083 679 7424
Issued by: Department of Health
19 March 2010
