The IFP calls on the KZN MEC of Health, Dr Sbongiseni Dhlomo to urgently investigate and crack down on nurses sleeping on the job after some nurses and security guards at Prince Mshiyeni Hospital in Umlazi were caught red handed while sleeping during working hours.
“If an employee is sleeping on the job, that’s patient neglect. Those employees should be dismissed from their jobs. Fatigued nurses and aides sleeping on the job when they should be caring for vulnerable people puts patients at high risk,” said IFP KZN Provincial Health Spokesperson, Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana, MPL.
“Wilful sleeping on the job is something that amounts to criminal conduct in the health care sector. This must be investigated and if the investigations proves supervisors knew about this negligent behaviour and looked the other way, they must also be prosecuted. If they are too tired to work we strongly advise staff to inform their managers in order to protect patient safety. Laziness and a lack of empathy is symptomatic of a culture of disregard for professional conduct and job-responsibility,” added Mrs Nkwanyana.
“We call on the Department of Health to develop a clear programme for safety and security in public hospitals. The lack of well-established security facilities is becoming one of the main reasons for practising nurses to leave the public sector for safer health facilities in the private sector or in other government departments, at a time when more nurses are desperately needed,” concluded Mrs Nkwanyana.
Issued by:
Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL, IFP Spokesperson on Health, 084 736 5183 / 078 302 3991
For Media Enquiries:
IFP KZN Provincial Legislature Media Liaison Officer, Mr Phendulani Biyase, 073 024 5675