4.5.4 The August oversight visit emphasised that the DCS continues to perform poorly in providing care to ill inmates thus violating its mandate, and exposing itself to costly legal challenges. As stated in previous reports, the oft-repeated excuse that owing to its inability to recruit and retain medical professionals, the DCS cannot provide medical attention to those in its care, is no longer acceptable. The DCS should be at the forefront of collaborative efforts to provide better health care to inmates, improve the recruitment and retention of medical professionals, and where necessary explore creative interim measures to ensure that inmates' medical needs are met.