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DENOSA pleased with plans to investigate scandal at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital
Media statement
Wednesday, 04 February 2015
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) is pleased to note that the Department of Health in Gauteng will institute a full investigation into the syndicate that provides tip-offs to private undertakers when patients die and the trading of corpses by mortuary staff that was uncovered by eNCA at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital which was played last night where health workers were reported to be implicated in the scandal.
DENOSA’s concern is that one of the undertaker workers in the news programme mentioned that some nurses would phone them in the early hours when a patient has died. If this is proven to be true, DENOSA would find it unacceptable and would be disappointed with the unethical conduct of such a member of the nursing profession, as it would tarnish and put into question the reputation of the nursing profession and every nurse that is practicing.
It is in the interest of all nurses who are working extremely hard at the country’s health facilities that this investigation is conducted and concluded so that those found guilty could be distinguished and face appropriate disciplinary measures.
DENOSA is proud to represent its members in the workplace who work hard in saving lives of patients and respecting their dignity at all times. This is the conduct that all nurses are expected to uphold at all times.
DENOSA President, Simon Hlungwani, says: “While DENOSA is pleased to hear from the provincial Health department that an investigation will be instituted on the matter, we would like to state that scope of practice for nurses in a hospital environment begins when a patient enters a ward and comes to an end when a patient leaves a ward after getting discharged or ceases to exist. Any handling of corpses in mortuaries and information thereof is something that is beyond nursing profession, and thus outside the scope of nursing and that becomes the responsibility of other categories of health workers in a facility, not nurses.”
End
Issued by the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA)
For more information, contact:
Simon Hlungwani, DENOSA President
Mobile: 079 501 4922
Or
Sibongiseni Delihlazo, DENOSA Communications Manager
Mobile: 079 875 2663
Tel: 012 343 2315
Website: www.denosa.org.za
Facebook: DENOSA National Page
Twitter: @DENOSAORG
