GAUTENG HEALTH STAFF MORATORIUM HITS SERVICES FURTHER

The Gauteng Health Department has instituted a staff moratorium even as services at hospitals deteriorate severely.

According to the heading of a circular dated 6 February sent to all senior managers, there is a "Moratorium on the appointment of staff in all vacant funded positions within the Gauteng Department of Health except for health professional categories".

The circular says "The total overspend on the personnel budget compels the Department to take drastic cost containment measures on the filling of vacant posts. Resulting from the above, no appointment of staff is to be approved for the period 1 February 2012 to 31 March 21012 except for staff in critical health professional categories. This situation will be reviewed during the new financial year (2112/13)."

Although this exempts health professionals like doctors and nurses, it will hit hospitals hard as there will be delays in filling even these posts and staff will struggle because of failure to fill other posts. Nurses will end up doing the work of cleaners, porters and clerks.

It's very bad news for our struggling hospitals. It is more important than ever that competent professionals are put in to run our hospitals, and all waste and corruption eliminated.

The reported national health intervention to assist the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital will be unsuccessful if this moratorium is not lifted soon.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, February 9 2012

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