NCOP
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 122 (*104)
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 08 SEPTEMBER 2014
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 11)
Mr M A Matebus (EFF-NC) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) Why does he not see the need to initiate legislation that obligates
public representatives to utilise public health services for their
immediate families;
(2) whether he has any plans to relieve pressure from the Groote Schuur
Hospital in Cape Town (details furnished); if not, why not; if so,
what are the relevant details;
(3) whether he has any plans to reign-in on nursing colleges such as the
Netcare College of Education in Bellville that still treats aspiring
black nurses with disdain; if not, what is the position in this
regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
CW191E
REPLY:
1) The focus of the Department of Health is to ensure equitable access to
quality health services to the general public of South Africa. However
we are also geared to improving our service standards to a level that
will make the public sector the service of choice for all South
Africans. This is already the case with many of our facilities. At the
same time, by setting a personal example, we always encourage public
representatives to use public health services.
It will be unconstitutional to introduce legislation that limits the
choice of any individual to the type of health service that they can
access. There is no intention to introduce such legislation.
2) There has been a steady increase in the health service demands in the
City of Cape Town, particularly Mental Health and Neonatology.
However, the level of increase has not necessitated the need for
additional measures to be introduced.
The Western Cape Health Department reported that the increase has been
manageable and the hospital has been able to cope with this together
with collaboration with other hospitals in the city.
3) The National Department of Health has not received any complaints
about the Netcare College of Education in Bellville that still treats
aspiring black nurses with disdain. While nursing colleges are
regulated by the South African Nursing Council, we will ensure that
any complaint of this nature will be investigated.
We are informed that the Director of Nursing Education of Netcare is
not aware of complaints of racism at the Netcare College of Education
in Bellville, but we have undertaken to investigate this and to take
appropriate action. Netcare Education has been in operation for 25
years and has privately funded and employed staff in training.
There was one recent complaint of someone who failed the examination
and alleged that she was treated unfairly. This was investigated by
the South African Nursing Council and the CCMA and they found in
favour of the Netcare Nursing College.
END.