Hospitals not affected by staff departures: MEC

Hospitals not affected by staff departures: MEC

Despite 403 vacancies at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg, MEC for Health in Gauteng Qedani Mahlangu has assured the public that the hospital continues to thrive.

Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital_maps
Photo: Google Maps

According to the Department of Health, the hospital continues to render quality services despite losing clinical staff pursuing better opportunities in the private sector.


The Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital currently has 364 nursing vacancies, 12 medical vacancies and 27 allied staff vacancies.


The department said the primary reason given by those leaving (younger than 50 years and not retiring) is due to better remuneration in the private sector and the opportunity for self-employment.


"That said, we can reassure the public that there has been no impact on patient care related to the loss of skilled staff as vacant posts are filled timeously. Vacancies are advertised as and when they become available," the department said in a statement.


Mahlangu said the hospital currently has a staff complement of about 3131 in these key clinical categories (nursing, medical and allied staff).

Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital_maps
Photo: Google Maps


The MEC further revealed that the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni has also experienced staff departures due to similar reasons. 


"At Thelle Mogoerane many staff departures can be attributed to personal reasons such as promotions, work overload and distance between home and work place. This however, has not affected patient care as patients are referred to tertiary facilities whenever the need arises," she added.  


The Thelle Mogoerane Hospital has 38 nursing vacancies, 12 medical vacancies and one allied staff vacancy.


"It should be noted that the facility is in the process of expanding the training platform by appointing registrars and consultants in neurosurgery, general surgery, urology and internal medicine jointly with the University of the Witwatersrand." the department said.


The aim of this partnership is to enhance clinical skills and offer more specialised services in the hospital.


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