GAUTENG HEALTH TERMINATES NURSE AGENCIES

Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu is adamant that hospitals terminate all nursing agencies.

This emerged in yesterday's health committee meeting at the Gauteng Legislature.

Twelve hospitals have completely phased out nursing agencies and the remaining 8 hospitals are to phase them out by the end of this month.

While there was in the past a gross overuse of nursing agencies, getting rid of them entirely is an unwise move dictated by the ANC's determination to ban labour brokers.

The DA believes that hospital managers should have the flexibility to use agencies to ease pressure at high peak periods such as weekends or over the 2010 World Cup.

Mahlangu should reconsider this rash move, especially with regard to the use of agencies for specialist nurses who are in short supply.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom, MPL, Democratic Alliance Gauteng health spokesman, March 10 2010

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