Nursing union warns against 24-hour clinics unless security is heightened
DENOSA is currently holding its 9th congress at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.
The 9th Congress of the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg. Picture: Thabiso Goba/EWN
JOHANNESBURG – The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) has cautioned the government against 24-hour clinics unless it hires more healthcare staff and security.
The organisation is currently holding its 9th congress at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg.
The three-day conference, which started on Tuesday, is expected to discuss and resolve several issues affecting the healthcare sector.
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DENOSA’s president, Simon Hlungwani, says nurses must be given adequate support staff should the government move forward with this idea of 24-hour clinics.
“Sadly, I need to cite this part that when I move around I hear nurses say; when they said open (24-hours) we complained that can you give us a cleaner at night so that when someone comes with a gunshot and I’m busy at the scene and there is blood spills, when we are done the person can come and clean after us.
“I understand they were told by the powers that be in some offices that you think you are so glorified that you can’t clean.”