1. Yes, the Minister is implementing the remedial actions from the Public Protector’s report guided by prescripts of the law. As such, the DPSA are dealing with the issue of Occupational Specific Dispensation (OSD) through a process lead. DPSA has commissioned Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) to conduct a Personnel Expenditure Review (PER), that includes the review of OSDs in the public sector.
2. Yes, the National Department of Health has commenced discussions with relevant stakeholders to facilitate negotiations to address the Occupation Specific Dispensation (OSD) for Clinical Associates. The Department has held meeting(s) with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) to table issues pertaining to the conditions of service for the Clinical Associates as raised in the Public Protector’s report.
3. Fiscal constraints continue to be a limitation on the issue of creation of additional posts for all categories, including Clinical Associates posts within the public health system. Currently, Provinces are unable to fill existing vacant posts or create new ones, despite service delivery needs/demands. Instead, they are required to prioritize posts across all levels of care within the available budget.
END.