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DENOSA Provincial Learner Movement Free State disturbed by Delaying of nurses from doing Community Service
Media statement
7th January 2015
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa Provincial Learner Movement (DENOSA PLM) in Free State is sad to report that once again the Free State Department of Health (FSDOH) has delayed students who have just completed their studies from doing their community service until they appear on the E-register of South African Nursing Council (SANC) showing that they are registered as Community Service Professional Nurses.
Community service for students who have completed their 4 years programme Diploma in General Nursing (Psychiatry, Community Nursing and midwifery) is a prerequisite of the Department of Health for a student to be registered as a Nursing Practitioner and it has to be done for a year. Community Service is included in the Nursing act 33 of 2005. According to the Act, one must just be registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) in order to do Community Service which can be proven by a receipt from SANC, which is what is happening in 8 provinces in South Africa.
There is a huge shortage of nurses particularly in the Free State where we have seen the mortality rate increase due to this shortage, yet there is an output of about 150 professional nurses that are trained using the tax payers’ money but they are not able to serve communities because the department has decided to delay these students from doing their community service.
Before 2013, the Free State Department of Health did not delay students from doing community service because of certificates from South African Nursing Council. This problem started in 2013 where students were told that they are not going to do their community service until they receive their certificates from SANC. This instruction was contained in Circular 57 of 2013. This was however reversed by Circular 2 of 2014 and students were able to do their community service but those who completed their studies in June 2014 were delayed by the department citing that they must be possession of certificates.
In 2015 the FSDOH amended their circular stating that students must just appear on the E-register of SANC, which is still the same as having a certificate in hand.
ON SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL (SANC)
The Free State Department of Health however knows that SANC is very slow in processing the documents sent to it by different Nursing Education institutions. SANC always undertakes that students will receive their certificates between 6-8 weeks but we have seen that this is not practised. It usually takes up to 6 months before students can receive their certificates, meaning that no Community Service Professional Nurse will be able to serve the Free State community without a certificate from SANC.
As DENOSA Students' Movement in Free State we say that SANC must be decentralised because its centralisation has proved to be ineffective in providing services to the nurses in South Africa. SANC must establish provincial offices in order to provide effective and efficient services to Nursing and communities.
ON SUPPORT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE PROFESSIONAL NURSES
7th January 2015
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa Provincial Learner Movement (DENOSA PLM) in Free State is sad to report that once again the Free State Department of Health (FSDOH) has delayed students who have just completed their studies from doing their community service until they appear on the E-register of South African Nursing Council (SANC) showing that they are registered as Community Service Professional Nurses.
Community service for students who have completed their 4 years programme Diploma in General Nursing (Psychiatry, Community Nursing and midwifery) is a prerequisite of the Department of Health for a student to be registered as a Nursing Practitioner and it has to be done for a year. Community Service is included in the Nursing act 33 of 2005. According to the Act, one must just be registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) in order to do Community Service which can be proven by a receipt from SANC, which is what is happening in 8 provinces in South Africa.
There is a huge shortage of nurses particularly in the Free State where we have seen the mortality rate increase due to this shortage, yet there is an output of about 150 professional nurses that are trained using the tax payers’ money but they are not able to serve communities because the department has decided to delay these students from doing their community service.
Before 2013, the Free State Department of Health did not delay students from doing community service because of certificates from South African Nursing Council. This problem started in 2013 where students were told that they are not going to do their community service until they receive their certificates from SANC. This instruction was contained in Circular 57 of 2013. This was however reversed by Circular 2 of 2014 and students were able to do their community service but those who completed their studies in June 2014 were delayed by the department citing that they must be possession of certificates.
In 2015 the FSDOH amended their circular stating that students must just appear on the E-register of SANC, which is still the same as having a certificate in hand.
ON SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL (SANC)
The Free State Department of Health however knows that SANC is very slow in processing the documents sent to it by different Nursing Education institutions. SANC always undertakes that students will receive their certificates between 6-8 weeks but we have seen that this is not practised. It usually takes up to 6 months before students can receive their certificates, meaning that no Community Service Professional Nurse will be able to serve the Free State community without a certificate from SANC.
As DENOSA Students' Movement in Free State we say that SANC must be decentralised because its centralisation has proved to be ineffective in providing services to the nurses in South Africa. SANC must establish provincial offices in order to provide effective and efficient services to Nursing and communities.
ON SUPPORT TO COMMUNITY SERVICE PROFESSIONAL NURSES
DENOSA in Free State tasked itself to meet with the MEC and HOD to resolve this community service issue speedily. DENOSA PLM Free State pledges its support to Community Service Professional Nurses. We will support them through thick and thin and we will make sure that this matter is resolved even if it means mobilising all nurses, nursing students and community members to rally behind them and go to the streets because we know that this is the only language that FSDOH knows.
In conclusion, an injury to one nurse is an injury to all nurses and community members who need health service urgently. We will never allow to be victimised by people who do not seem to realise the importance of nurses in our communities.
Issued by DENOSA Provincial Learner Movement in Free State
For more information, contact:
GIFT MNYAMANE, DENOSA Provincial Learner Movement Secretary
Mobile: 083 567 1556
In conclusion, an injury to one nurse is an injury to all nurses and community members who need health service urgently. We will never allow to be victimised by people who do not seem to realise the importance of nurses in our communities.
Issued by DENOSA Provincial Learner Movement in Free State
For more information, contact:
GIFT MNYAMANE, DENOSA Provincial Learner Movement Secretary
Mobile: 083 567 1556
